Jaipur(PTI): Fifteen ministers 11 cabinet and four ministers of state were sworn in on Sunday in Rajasthan, in a much-awaited expansion of the Ashok Gehlot ministry.
Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath of office to the new ministers.
The 11 cabinet ministers include three Mamta Bhupesh, Bhajan Lal Jatav and Tikaram Jully-- who have been elevated from minister of state (MoS) to cabinet rank, while two -- Vishvendra Singh and Ramesh Meena -- are those who were sacked last year for rebelling and have been reinducted as cabinet ministers.
Hemaram Choudhary, Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, Ramlal Jat, Mahesh Joshi, Govindram Meghwal and Shakuntla Rawat were also sworn in as cabinet ministers.
Zahida, Brijendra Singh Ola, Rajendra Gudha and Murari Lal Meena were sworn in as MoS.
The council of ministers in Rajasthan now has 19 cabinet ministers and 10 MoS, apart from the chief minister.
Chief Minister Gehlot and members of his council of ministers were among those present at the function.
The number in the council of ministers in the the state has reached 30. The Rajasthan Cabinet can have a maximum of 30 ministers, including the chief minister.
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Shivamogga: Shivamogga District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa performed a Gudali Puja on Sunday for the development of Barehalla and Hi Hole Dams in the taluk, along with road development work in Puradalu village.
At the program, Madhu Bangarappa extended an invitation to JDS MLA Sharada Pooryanayaka to join the Congress party, using an English proverb to make his point.
"Sharada Pooryanayaka loves me very much. But when elections come, it becomes very difficult. Now we have power. That is why I am calling her to join our party. Our father always said that when it is hot, we should dry the grass. Now that it is hot, my sister should make a decision," he said, extending an open offer to the JDS leader.
Bangarappa emphasized that providing facilities for the Sharavati flood victims is the government's duty. He noted that the dam built for these victims in Puradalu village was damaged due to excessive rainfall. To address this, he announced the launch of development work worth Rs. 3 crore, fulfilling his previous promises.
He stated that while the government is allocating funds for guaranteed schemes, it is also ensuring grants for developmental projects. "As a minister, I am responsible for providing quality education to children. I am working with great emphasis on education. Since the education department is vast, everyone is cooperating," he said.
The minister urged parents to ensure their children's education is not disrupted due to frequent holidays. He also mentioned that a facial attendance system is being considered to monitor school attendance more effectively.
Instead of focusing on building large temples in villages, he stressed the importance of constructing bigger schools, stating that "If schools are built big, God will bless them."
MLA Sharada Pooryanayaka stated that priority is being given to the development of villages in the Sharavati floodplain area. She also acknowledged the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and thanked District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa for securing funds for the Barehalla and Hi Hole Dam development.
Puradalu Gram Panchayat Vice President H.S. Pradeep delivered the introductory remarks.
The event was attended by Congress District President R. Prasanna Kumar, State Bhovi Development Corporation President S. Ravikumar, Guarantee Schemes Authority District President Chandrabhupal, and Congress leaders Kalgodu Ratnakar, G.D. Manjunath, Dr. Srinivas Karianna, Y.H. Nagaraj, as well as Puradalu and Agasavalli Gram Panchayat Presidents and members.