CM: Reshuffle to ease burden of ministers

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said the cabinet reshuffle was carried out to "infuse fresh energy" into the government and ease pressure on overburdened ministers.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said the cabinet reshuffle was carried out to "infuse fresh energy" into the government and ease pressure on overburdened ministers.

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"The reshuffle of portfolios was carried out to re-energise the government. Some ministers were overburdened while some did not have much work. So I have decided to rationalise responsibilities," Dikshit said.

The reshuffle is being viewed by many as a political strategy ahead of the assembly elections next year.

The government issued a notification on Tuesday effecting the changes in the portfolios. Arvinder Singh has been relieved of education and transport departments.

AK Walia will, however, continue to hold charge of health and flood and irrigation departments. He has also been given charge of higher education, which was with Dikshit till now, and the labour department. Dikshit praised Walia, who was divested of urban development and revenue departments.

Women and child welfare minister Kiran Walia, considered close to Dikshit, has been given additional charge of education. She will continue to hold charge of social welfare department.

Ramakant Goswami, another Dikshit loyalist, has been given transport but the industries and labour departments have been taken away.

Food and civil supplies minister Haroon Yusuf has been given the industries as well as employment department. He will continue to hold charge of power department.

PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan has been given additional charge of development department, which was earlier with Yusuf.