In Odisha portfolio allocation, CM Mohan Charan Majhi keeps key departments with himself

Departments such as school and mass education, SC/ST development and social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities went to Nityananda Gond, a two-time legislator and a tribal face. Similarly, Krushna Chandra Patra, a first-time MLA, got food supplies and consumer welfare.

Senior leader Prithiviraj Harichandan, who has also been elected to the state assembly for the first time, got three important portfolios — law, public works, and excise.

Majhi allocated the important parliamentary affairs department to Mukesh Mahaling, who has a PhD degree and was a prominent voice of BJP in the previous assembly. Mahaling also got portfolios such as health and family welfare and electronics and information technology.

The steel and mines department, which contributes significantly to the Odisha exchequer considering the state’s rich mineral reserves, went to first-time MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Jena. He would also handle the commerce and transport department.

Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, who has a bachelor degree in Ayurvedic medicine and surgery, will handle the housing and urban development department along with public enterprises.

The five ministers who took oath as minister of state with independent charge also got key portfolios. Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia will head the forest and environment department as well as labour and employees state insurance — an important department for a state like Odisha, which faces massive migration issues.

Suryabanshi Suraj, the youngest minister in the council of ministers, was given departments like higher education, sports and youth affairs along with Odia language, literature and culture. Pradeep Balsamant got cooperation along with handlooms, textiles and handicrafts.

Gokulananda Mallik got fisheries and animal resources department along with micro, small and medium enterprises while Sampad Swain got industries and skill development and technical education.

Except deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo, none of the members in the new council of ministers have ministerial experience. Similarly, nine of the 16 members team are first-time MLAs.

As the CM has inducted only 15 ministers in his team against a permissible limit of 21 ministers and some ministers have been given multiple departments, official sources said the CM could expand his cabinet soon and re-allocate portfolios.