Chhattisgarh cabinet reshuffled

In a sudden decision, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Saturday reshuffled portfolios of his five ministerial colleagues, giving the coveted industry portfolio to his close aide Rajesh Munat in place of urban administration, official sources said.

Singh, who heads a 13-member council of ministers, handed over urban administration portfolio to Amar Agrawal, who had earlier held revenue.

Hemchand Yadav and Ramvichar Netam swapped portfolios and now Netam will look after water resources department and Yadav will handle panchayats and rural development.

Dayaldas Baghel who was industry minister has now been made revenue minister.

Political analysts said Singh, who is heading the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state since December 2003, was forced to effect the minor reshuffle among under-performing ministers in a bid to bolster the government image as Chhattisgarh goes to assembly polls later next year.