The much-awaited allotment of portfolios to the newly-formed council of ministers was approved by the Governor of Odisha on the advice of the Chief Minister.
As per the release from Raj Bhawan, the CM has retained Finance, Home, General Administration, I&PR, Water Resources, Planning & Convergence, and any other department not specifically assigned so far.
Deputy Chief Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has been allotted Agriculture & Energy; while Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida has been allocated Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti & Tourism departments.
Here is the complete list:
Cabinet Ministers
Suresh Pujari: Revenue and Disaster Management
Rabi Narayan Naik: Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water
Nityananda Gond: School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare and Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Krushna Chandra Patra: Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Science & Technology
Prithiviraj Harichandan: Law, Works and Excise
Mukesh Mahaling: Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs and Electronics & Information Technology
Bibhuti Bhushan Jena: Commerce & Transport and Steel & Mines
Krushna Chandra Mahapatra: Housing & Urban Development and Public Enterprises
Ministers of State (Independent Charge)
Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia: Forest, Environment and Climate Change
Suryabanshi Suraj: Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services and Odia Language, Literature & Culture
Pradeep Bal Samanta: Co-operation and Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts
Gokulananda Mallik: Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Sampad Chandra Swain: Industries and Skill Development & Technical Education
Who Said What
When asked, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said, “While the Revenue Department is the biggest department, it also has problems galore. The biggest challenge will be to set the records right and get the names of landowners recorded. Similarly, there are several leakages in the revenue collections which is why revenue was declining. So it will be a big challenge before the government on how to check leakages, increase revenue collection and punish those who are responsible for revenue leakage.”
“We are coming under the range of Cyclones. We are prone to flood. We have to find out if there is any way to tackle these problems. Had the river-linking project introduced during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time been implemented, it would have helped mitigate floods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a soft heart for Odisha. In the past, he helped Odisha. He is helping the state and will continue to help in future. We will seek the help of the centre and experts to tackle natural calamities,” he added.
Expressing his happiness, Nityananda Gond, who has been allotted School and Mass Education department with others, said, “I will try my level best to discharge the responsibilities given to me. Whatever challenges come my way, I will accept them.”
“As we have a double-engine government, the challenges before us will be resolved easily. We will deliver what people want from us. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, we want to take this government to new heights. In the coming days, I will try my level best to solve drainage and drinking water issues,” said Housing and Urban Development Minister, Krushna Chandra Mahapatra.
A visibly delighted, Commerce & Transport and Steel & Mines Minister, Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said, “Odisha is a treasure trove of minerals. They will be used for the betterment of the Odisha people. The people of mineral-rich districts are suffering from pollution-related problems. So they are the ones who deserve development.”
“Odisha youths are facing several problems including unemployment and migration. We are confident that we will be able to mitigate their problems. I have also been allotted the Odia Language, Literature and Culture department. I see it as an opportunity to work for Odia Asmita and I will make the best use of it,” said Suryabanshi Suraj, who has been allotted Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services and Odia Language, Literature & Culture departments.
When asked what should be her priority, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who has been allotted Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism departments, said, “I will give priority to women's safety. When we were in the Opposition, we had written letters to the then Chief Minister, informing him how women were feeling unsafe in their workplaces. He had not paid any heed to it. Now we are in the government. We will work in this regard to ensure the safety of women.”
“There would be women-led development in the Tourism sector. Women-led entrepreneurship is the dream of the Prime Minister. Self Help Groups were engaged only to lend and collect money. After 100 days, we can see the transformation in this field. I appeal to women that they should give up the ‘Sahukar’ job, and be a part of the development. We will ensure the centre’s yojanas should be implemented in villages properly. We will try to make the state a developed state with the participation of women.”
“I am happy with the departments the Chief Minister has given to me. I will discharge the responsibilities perfectly and work for the overall development of farmers. The hike in the paddy MSP will be done. The BJP will do what it has said. There is no question of doubt. During his visit, the Prime Minister also mentioned about this. One thing I want to clarify is that the Prime Minister will provide whatever help is required for the development of Odisha,” said Agriculture and Framers’ Empowerment & Energy Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
“People will install solar panels on rooftops and use solar power. If they have a surplus, they can sell it to the government. They can earn while using free electricity,” he added.
“We will have to take special steps to lessen the impact of climate change. Similarly, special steps will be taken to minimize poaching,” said Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change.