Cabinet Rejig: Odisha Gets Lion's Share, Ashwini Vaishnaw Railways & IT Minister, Dharmendra Gets Education Ministry

On Wednesday (July 7), the country witnessed a complete revamp of the Union Council of Ministers. In which not only were new faces inducted but crucial portfolios were also reshuffled. Among the new cabinet entrants was Rajya Sabha member from Odisha - Ashwini Vaishnaw. Ashwini will be the new Railways, Communications and IT Minister. Earlier, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Piyush Goyal were divested of the key portfolios currently with Vaishnaw. Similarly, Dharmendra Pradhan who held charge of Petroleum Ministry in the two terms of Modi government... ...replaced Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank as the new Education Minister. Apart from this, Pradhan also retains the Skill Development Ministry. Both the ministries have reportedly been clubbed together. Another new face in the council of ministers was Mayurbhanj MP Bisweswar Tudu who was inducted as a Minister of State, and given responsibility of Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti. Earlier in the day, Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi had resigned from the MoS post, a few hours before the Cabinet expansion announcement. This means, Odisha now has three representatives in the Modi's Council of ministers team. Among the newly-promoted Cabinet minister was Anurag Thakur who has replaced Prakash Javadekar as the new I&B Minister. Apart from this, Thakur has also been given the Sports Ministry. Kiren Rijiju was also promoted and is the new Law Minister. Health Ministry was given to newly promoted Mansukh Mandaviya, who will also hold charge of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry. Earlier, Harsh Vardhan held the charge of Health Ministry in the cabinet. The Petroleum Ministry along with Housing and Urban Affairs was given to Hardeep Puri. While the Civil Aviation was given to newly inducted Jyotiraditya Scindia. The new Parliamentary Affairs Minister is Pralhad Joshi who will also be holding the Coal and Mines portfolios.