PM Modi Cabinet Expansion 2021: 36 new ministers joined the government in mega cabinet reboot
A new emergency response package worth Rs 23,123 crore to tackle the coronavirus pandemic was announced by the central government on Thursday, following the first meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's revamped cabinet on Thursday.
Announcing the relief aid, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said of the Rs 23,123 crore, Rs 15,000 crore will be given by the Centre while the remaining Rs 8,000 will be the states' contribution. This is aimed at preventing a shortage of medicines, and essential items and will be implemented in nine months. The aid will be used to create a buffer stock of medicines, the minister said.
A day after the major reboot, a number of newly appointed ministers took charge of their assignments, including Mansukh Mandaviya - the new Health Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw - the new Railways and IT minister, and Anurag Thakur - the new Information and Broadcasting minister.
PM Modi unveiled a new council of ministers on Wednesday with unexpected high-profile exits and expected bump-ups for politically meaningful sections in a huge push to revive his government's flagging popularity before key polls.
A number of key portfolios - including health, law, information and technology and railways - have gone to new ministers and junior ministers who were elevated in PM Modi's Council of Ministers that underwent a reboot. The total strength of the Council of Ministers is now 78, including the Prime Minister.
The current reshuffle has boosted the number of cabinet ministers from 21 to 30 and the number of junior ministers from 23 to 45. There are fewer junior ministers with Independent Charge - the figure has dropped from nine to two.
Here are the highlights on PM Modi's Cabinet Reshuffle:
Giriraj Singh takes charge of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ministry
Senior BJP leader from Bihar Giriraj Singh on Thursday took charge as the new Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister.
Mr Singh, who was earlier holding the charge of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Ministry, has now been given a relatively more important portfolio.
He has succeeded Narendra Singh Tomar, who is already holding the charge of the Agriculture Ministry.
There Should Be No Space For Complacency: PM Modi At Council Of Ministers Meet
At the Council of Ministers meeting, PM Modi said that over the past few days, pictures and videos of crowded places and people roaming about without masks or social distancing have emerged. This is not a pleasant sight and it should instil a sense of fear in all, sources told NDTV.
"Powered by our Covid warriors and frontline workers, India's fight against the global pandemic is underway with full vigour. We are steadily vaccinating substantial numbers of our nation's population. Testing is also consistently high," he said, sources added.
He added that in such a time, there should be no space for carelessness or complacency. A single mistake will have far-reaching impacts and weaken the fight against Covid.
New Package Of Over Rs 23,000 Crore Approved To Strengthen Fight Against Covid: PM Modi
"To further strengthen the fight against coronavirus, a new package of over Rs 23,000 crore has been approved. Under this, necessary arrangements like pediatric care units to ICU beds, oxygen storage, ambulances and medicines will be made available in all the districts of the country," PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.
Important Decisions Taken On Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare: PM Modi
"Important decisions regarding agriculture and farmers' welfare have been taken in the cabinet meeting today. In order to empower the mandis, arrangements have also been made for the use of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund as well as interest subvention on loans," PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.
First Meeting Of PM And His Council Of Ministers After Cabinet Reshuffle Underway
The first meeting of the Council of Minsters, chaired by PM Modi, is underway a day after the massive overhaul. The prime minister is meeting his new council of ministers virtually through a video conference link.
Cabinet Briefing
We have always respected farmers and dealt with them with patience. We will welcome any proposals from them apart from repealing the law. APMCs will not be dismantled, they will remain. We have told farmers that we are ready to talk and we appeal the farmer leaders to end their agitation: Narendra Tomar
Cabinet Briefing
The package to help prevent a shortage of medicines, and essential items. There is a provision to make paediatric units in 736 districts of the country. Provisions have been made for 20,000 ICU beds, 20% of which will be for children. The package will be implemented in nine months and will be used to create a buffer stock of medicines: Mansukh Mandaviya
Cabinet Briefing
We gave the first Covid package of Rs 15,000 crore in April 2020. The second package has been brought in of over Rs 23,000 crore. This will be given to the state governments - Rs 15,000 crore from the Centre and Rs 8,000 crore from states: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Cabinet Briefing
APMC's will be able to use Rs 1 lakh crore fund announced in the Union Budget. State governments, cooperative federations will also be considered in the eligibility list for the APMCs. If a person is working on more than 1 project (but not more than 25), he will be given a loan for it: Narendra Tomar
Cabinet Briefing
APMCs will not be dismantled. It will remain even after the three new farm laws are put in effect: Narendra Tomar
Cabinet Briefing
We will amend the Coconut Development Board to increase the productivity of coconut farmers. The Board chief will be a non-administrative person from the field. For executive powers, there will be a CEO. There are two types of members - one from the state and one from the Centre. The number of members from the Centre will be increased to six: Narendra Tomar
Cabinet Briefing
Rs 1 lakh crore Infrastructure Fund was announced last year. This will be distributed through APMCs. Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar will speak on this. Amendments will be made to the Coconut Development Board - a CEO and non-executive Chairman will be appointed. We have taken a big decision on Covid health package. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will speak on this: Anurag Thakur
Cabinet Briefing
Cabinet has approved proposal to bring APMCs under the ambit of the Agriculture Investment Fund: Anurag Singh Thakur
Cabinet Overhaul: Three Cabinet Ministers To Address Cabinet Briefing Shortly
New Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and new Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will address the Cabinet briefing today. The briefing will begin shortly.
Cabinet Expansion 2021: PM Holds First Meeting Of New Cabinet, To Meet Other Ministers ShortlyPrime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting of the new cabinet on Thursday, the first after the unveiling a revamped council of ministers a day ago. His overhauled cabinet now includes 30 ministers while the council includes 77 in all.
The first meeting of the new cabinet began at 5 pm. PM Modi will also chair a meeting of the council of ministers at 7 pm.
The Inside Track On PM Modi's Cabinet OverhaulThe jumbo recast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet appears to have been based as much on damage control as a look to the future in states where the BJP hopes to expand. The exits have made a bigger impact than the entries and the one that has had the most shock value was that of Ravi Shankar Prasad, one of the most visible faces of the government.
Cabinet Overhaul: Anurag Thakur Takes Charge As Information And Broadcasting Minister
Anurag Singh Thakur takes charge as Minister of Information and Broadcasting and as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
"I am thankful to PM Modi for giving me this responsibility. With the support of Associations, Federations, I will put in my best efforts to take Indian Sports ahead," Mr Thakur told news agency ANI.
Feel Confident After Meeting Amit Shah: Nisith Pramanik, Youngest Minister In PM's Cabinet"It is natural to feel nervous given the kind of responsibility I have been given. But after I met Home Minister Amit Shah and took his blessings, I felt confident. I felt better," Nisith Pramanik, the youngest minister to join PM Modi's Cabinet as a Minister of State after the mega overhaul, said. Mr Pramanik, who is an MP from Cooch Behar in Bengal, also won the Assembly elections this year from Dinhata - from within the Coochbehar Lok Sabha constituency. But he resigned as an MLA to continue as a member of the Parliament.
He has been made the Minister of State Home along with Minister of StateYouth Affairs and Sports in the massive reshuffle of the Cabinet on Wednesday.
I Am The Real Political Heir Of Ram Vilas Paswan: Pashupati Paras
"I am the real political heir of Ram Vilas Paswan, not Chirag Paswan. According to the law, Chirag Paswan only has right over his father's property. He has gone to court. What will come of that? Being an uncle, I reiterate that Chirag Paswan must introspect and figure out his weakness. I have some qualities of Ram Vilas Paswan," Pashupati Paras said after taking charge as the Food Processing Minister. He is embroiled in a fight with his nephew Chirag Paswan who has been sidelined in the Lok Janshakti Party - founded by Chirag Paswan's father Ram Vilas Paswan - following a coup led by Mr Paras.
Cabinet Expansion 2021: Pashupati Paras Takes Charge As Food Processing MinisterLok Jan Shakti leader Pashupati Paras, who led a coup against Chirag Paswan, reaches Food Processing Ministry to take charge. He was received by Union Minister Prahlad Patel.
The portfolio was earlier held by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Mr Paras was sworn in Wednesday as part of PM Modi's mega Cabinet reboot.
The ministry assumed significance in recent years as the Centre focussed more on processing fruits and vegetables to reduce wastage.
Bhupender Yadav assumes office as Minister of Labour and Employment
BJP leader Bhupender Yadav, a Rajya Sabha Member representing Rajasthan, took charge as Union Minister of Labour and Employment on Thursday.
Mr Yadav is serving as the National General Secretary of BJP and he is also the in-charge of the Bihar and Gujarat unit of the party.
"Took charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment (@LabourMinistry) today. I hope to be able to serve the people of this great nation as Labour and Employment Minister and realise the vision of PM @narendramodi ji for India''s growth," Mr Yadav tweeted.
Before assuming the office, Mr Yadav met BJP chief JP Nadda.
Meenakashi Lekhi takes charge as Minister of State for External Affairs.
Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh takes charge as the Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Jitendra Singh takes charge as MoS (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Dharmendra Pradhan takes charge as the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar also present.
Former Minister in the ministry Mahendra Nath Pandey, greets them on the occasion.
Ajay Bhatt takes charge as the MoS in the Ministry of Defence.
Hardeep Singh Puri takes charge as the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Ex-minister Dharmendra Pradhan also greeted him on the occasion.
MoS Rameswar Teli also present.
Dharmendra Pradhan is now the Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our party chief JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah. I will carry out the responsibility given by them with hard work and determination, the effort will be to meet their expectations: Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
Minister of Information and Broadcasting & Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur called on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and thanked her for her support and guidance at the Ministry of Finance & Corporate Affairs.
Mr Thakur was an MoS in the Ministry.
Virendra Kumar assumes office as MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment
Lok Sabha Member from Madhya Pradesh Virendra Kumar took charge as Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Thursday.
He replaced Thawar Chand Gehlot, who was appointed Karnataka governor ahead of the reshuffle on Wednesday.
Mr Kumar is the Member of Parliament from Tikamgarh constituency in Madhya Pradesh.
Mr Kumar has in the past served as Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs in the first Modi government.
He is also a member of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and a member in standing committee on labour.
Sarbananda Sonowal pays floral tribute to Jana Sangh leader Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Syama Prasad Mookerjee at BJP headquarters.
He will take charge as the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Minister of AYUSH.
Janata Dal-United's RCP Singh assumes office as Minister of Steel
Janata Dal-United (JDU) Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chandra Prasad Singh on Thursday assumed office as the new Minister of Steel in the Union Cabinet.
After taking charge, the new Minister said the Ministry of Steel is already doing great.
"Ministry hum sambhale nahi hain, ministry to sambhli hui hai. (Have not taken over yet, Ministry is already in good shape). Today is my first day here, it is a joyous moment for me. I work with an open mind. I do not know anything yet, I will examine everything, understand them and then speak on it," said Mr Singh.
Mr Singh has replaced Dharmendra Pradhan, who will now look after the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP's ally JDU refused to join Union Cabinet over the demand for proportional representation. However, the party demanded representation in the NDA government in the reshuffle.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia arrives at BJP office before taking charge.
He says, "I'll try to carry out the responsibility to the best of my ability. I hope to meet all expectations. I'll work hard, just like I worked for the people in last 15-20 years."
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as well as Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav, met BJP nationaL president JP Nadda today, before taking charge as the Union Minister.
G Kishan Reddy takes charge as the Minister of Culture and Tourism. MoS (Tourism) Ajay Bhatt and Shripad Naik and MoS (Culture) Meenakshi Lekhi also present.
Former Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel also greets him at the occasion.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar takes charge as the MoS in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Kiren Rijiju takes charge as the Minister of Law and Justice.
Watch| Mansukh Mandaviya offered prayers in his office at the Union Health Ministry as he took charge as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare today.
Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Union Minister of State for Railways assumed office in Rail Bhawan today.
Danve Raosaheb Dadarao, Union Minister of State for Railways assumed office in Rail Bhawan today.
I am shifting to Law and Justice but the efforts will continue. Time at the sports department was memorable. The team was good. PM's vision of making India a sporting vision will be fulfilled: Kiren Rijiju, new Minister of Law and Justice
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar takes charge as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as the Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
Will Work To Fulfil PM's Vision: Ashwini Vaishnaw, New Railways Minister
Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, Ashwini Vaishnaw, took charge as the new Railways Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet on Thursday.
After taking charge, the new Minister said that Railways is a major part of PM Modi's vision and he would work to make the vision a reality.
"His (PM Modi's) vision for railways is to transform the lives of the people, that everyone - common man, farmers, the poor - gets the benefit of the railway. I will work for that vision," said Mr Vaishnaw.
A former IAS officer, Mr Vaishnaw has been appointed the Minister of Railways, Minister of Communications, and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
Ashwini Vaishnaw takes charge as the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
He took charge as the Railway Minister earlier this morning.
New Ministers Take Charge Day After Massive Cabinet Revamp
A day after the reboot of the union cabinet, a number of new (and promoted) ministers took charge of their assignments this morning, including Ashwini Vaishnaw - the new Railways and IT minister, Anurag Thakur - the Information and Broadcasting, and Sports minister, and Meenakshi Lekhi - the junior minister in the External Affairs and Culture ministries.
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On behalf of all friends, I express my gratitude to the PM Modi, Home Minister, party chief and entire team that they prioritised meritocracy and hard work and gave positions to everyone. India has been brought not only on the maps but also in the ministries: Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture.
"Women have been given big responsibilities. People used to speak of women empowerment but PM made it possible that the country be led by empowered women. provided recognition & given responsibility, this is praiseworthy", Ms Lekhi said.
Update| All new ministers to meet BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda today at party headquarters.
Anurag Thakur takes charge as Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
"PM Modi has done terrific work in last 7 years to take India forward. The work done by people before me in Information and Broadcasting Ministry and responsibility given to me by the PM, I will try to meet those expectations," he says.
Dharmendra Pradhan Is New Education Minister, Piyush Goyal Gets Textile
Rajya Sabha MP Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been handling the petroleum ministry till now in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term, will now handle the education and skill development portfolio, following today's cabinet reshuffle. Piyush Goyal, who, too, is a member of the upper house, will handle the textile ministry.
Mr Pradhan will take over from Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', who resigned from his position yesterday. The petroleum ministry will now be headed by Hardeep Singh Puri. Mr Goyal, on the other hand, will replace Smriti Irani who will focus only on the Women and Child Ministry.
Fifty two-year-old Mr Pradhan is the son of former Minister of State Debendra Pradhan. He was promoted as a Cabinet Minister in September 2017. He represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha and was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha.
Mr Goyal, 57, has handled the commerce and industry, consumer affairs, and food and public distribution ministries, besides railways, which will now be taken over by Ashwini Vaishnaw, a new entrant and a Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha.
PM Modi's Big Cabinet Overhaul: Your 10-Point GuidePrime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a new council of ministers on Wednesday with unexpected high-profile exits and expected bump-ups for politically meaningful sections in a huge push to revive his government's flagging popularity before key polls.
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Jyotiraditya Scindia Gets Civil Aviation, Once Headed By His Father
Jyotiraditya Scindia has been appointed Civil Aviation Minister, and Hardeep Puri, who headed this ministry, will head Urban Development and Petroleum Ministry. Mr Scindia joined the government on Wednesday in a reboot of the Union cabinet in which 36 new ministers including these two joined the government and seven got promoted.
"I express my gratitude to all the senior leaders for giving me this opportunity. I will try to keep intact the belief that they have shown in me," Mr Scindia said on Wednesday.
Born in 1971 and educated in Harvard and Stanford institutions, Mr Scindia has traversed a long way after contesting his first election as a Congress candidate in 2002, a by-election in Guna Lok Sabha constituency, which was held after his father and former Civil Aviation Minister Madhavrao Scindia died in a plane crash.
The private plane, a Beechcraft King Air C90, in which Madhavrao Scindia and seven others were flying, crashed on the outskirts of Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri district in September 2001, killing all of them.
Ashwini Vaishnaw takes charge as the new Minister of Railways.
IIT, Wharton Alum Ashwini Vaishnaw Is Minister For Railways, Technology
BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, Ashwini Vaishnaw, will be the new Railways Minister and head the Ministries of Communications, and Electronics and Information Technology Information as well, the government announced on Wednesday.
"A former IAS Officer of the 1994 batch, he handled important responsibilities over 15 years and was particularly known for his contribution to the PPP (public-private partnership) framework in Infrastructure," the government said in a note.
"Post that, he has held leadership roles across major global companies such as General Electric and Siemens," it said.
"He has a MBA from Wharton School, Pennsylvania University and M.Tech from IIT Kanpur," it added.
The 50-year-old's appointment comes following the particularly surprising exit of Ravi Shankar Prasad, one of the government's loudest defenders, who was locked in a bitter dispute with foreign social media companies over a new law.
Mansukh Mandaviya Takes Over Health Ministry Amid Covid Fight
Mansukh Mandaviya, India's new Health Minister, takes over the Covid fight at a critical time when the government is working on a strategy to stave off a third wave of Covid by ramping up vaccinations.
The 49-year-old, who famously rode a bicycle to parliament, is among the seven ministers promoted to the Cabinet.
As Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mansukh Mandaviya visited the facilities of three vaccines being produced in India over the last six days, according to reports.
He studied veterinary science at the Gujarat Agricultural University and later completed a masters in political science.
Mr Mandaviya began as a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and rose up the ranks in the BJP. At 28, Mr Mandaviya became the youngest MLA in 2002.
In 2012, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.
He joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government first in 2016. He was Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical and Fertilizers.
Full List Of Ministers In The Modi Government
Thirty-six new ministers joined the government in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mega cabinet reboot on Wednesday. Fifteen of the 44 ministers who took oath on Wednesday will be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, a communique from Rashtrapati Bhavan shows.
After the oath-taking ceremony, the government announced the portfolios of the ministers in the revamped cabinet.
Here's a list of who got what:
Meet The New Cabinet - Who's Got WhatA number of key portfolios - including health, law, information and technology and railways - have gone to new ministers and junior ministers who were elevated in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers that underwent a reboot on Wednesday.
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