A day after the Cabinet portfolio shake up, new health minister A.K. Walia gave his office a miss on Thursday giving rise to murmurs in the power of corridor, while a much happier new urban development minister Raj Kumar Chouhan spelt out his priorities.
Three ministers on Thursday attended their office, while the new face in the Cabinet, Ramakant Goswami, would assume charge on Friday.
The Delhi government on Thursday notified the new portfolios of the ministers. Dr Walia, who had presented Budget six consecutive times, has been divested of the finance portfolio and had been made health minister. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit would now present the Budget, the first by any CM in the city.
The new urban development minister, Raj Kumar Chouhan, said that the trifurcation of the MCD would be his top most priority. “Chief secretary Rakesh Mehta has already prepared a report based on the findings of various committees set up to look into the issue of restructuring of the MCD. Soon, the political committee will deliberate on the division of the MCD, which will be speeded up,” Mr Chouhan said. He added that regularisation of unauthorised colonies and speedy distribution of low-cost flats to slum-dwellers under the cluster shifting scheme would be his other priorities.
Mr Goswami, who met the CM and had a look of his office, told reporters that he would take charge at 4 pm on Friday. He has been given the charge of industries, labour and election departments.
The ministers who attended their office were transport and education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely and food and civil supplies minister Haroon Yusuf, who has also been given the power department.