Change in portfolios of Ministers in Naveen cabinet

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday effected major changes in the portfolios by allocating key responsibilities to Niranjan Pujari, Susanta Singh and Prafulla Mallick.

Patnaik himself vacated the Works and Water Resources Department that he was holding since long.

Housing and Urban Development Minister, Niranjan Pujari has been given additional charge of the Water Resources department.

"I feel this as a bigger responsibility. Any work assigned, or any such problem in the department will be looked into properly and solved,"stated Niranjan Pujari.

Prafulla Mallick, who is holding the portfolio of Steel and Mines as Minister, has been given the charge of Works Department. Similarly, Health & Family welfare Minister Pratap Jena was allotted I&PR department and Minister Susanta Singh was given the charge of Energy along with Labour and Employment department.

"Keeping in view the results of the just concluded Bijepur Bypoll, Chief Minister might have thought of giving me additional responsibilities. He was happy seeing the vote count and the number of people supporting us," said Susanta Singh.

Ananta Das has been given additional charge of Industry along with Higher Education.

BJD Spokesperson Prasanna Acharya said, "CM can change the Ministry as well as the department whenever he wishes to change. It is purely CM's prerogative. Definitely those who are working for the "party selflessly and in a disciplined manner and keeping in view their needs and capabilities, CM at regular intervals gives responsibilities to different party members."