West Bengal’s new cabinet under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has unveiled its portfolio allocations, with 35 ministers sworn in and key departments assigned.
The West Bengal government has officially announced the allocation of portfolios in the newly formed cabinet under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. This announcement follows the swearing-in of 35 ministers on June 1, as detailed in a notification issued by the state secretariat, Nabanna.
The new cabinet comprises 35 ministers, which includes 13 Cabinet Ministers, 3 Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 19 Ministers of State. The allocation of these portfolios was conducted under Article 166(3) of the Constitution.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has retained several key departments, maintaining control over critical areas such as Home and Hill Affairs, Land and Land Reforms, Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation, Power, Information and Cultural Affairs, and Personnel and Administrative Reforms. Additionally, he will oversee any department not assigned to other ministers, ensuring that vital sectors like Home, Power, and Land Revenue remain under his direct supervision.
In a significant move, former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta has been appointed as the Finance Minister. His role will be crucial in managing the state’s financial planning and budgetary processes.
Several senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been entrusted with major portfolios in the new cabinet. Tapas Roy has been assigned the responsibilities of Industry, Commerce and Enterprises, Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction, and Renewable Energy. Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee will oversee Health and Family Welfare, while Jagannath Chattopadhyay has been given charge of Higher Education, Technical Education, and Skill Development. Dipak Barman will manage School Education, Housing, MSME, and Textiles, and Dr. Shankar Ghosh will be responsible for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism. Manoj Kumar Oraon has been appointed to handle Forests and Environment.
Three ministers have been granted Independent Charge, including Malati Rava Roy, who will oversee Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, and Self Help Groups. Rajesh Mahata will manage Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, while Dr. Indranil Khan will handle Youth Services and Sports, as well as Consumer Affairs.
The remaining 19 Ministers of State have been assigned various responsibilities across departments such as transport, agriculture, education, rural development, urban development, power, law, and minority affairs. This distribution reflects a broad administrative approach aimed at addressing diverse governance needs.
The government has stated that the portfolio allocation aims to strike a balance between experienced leaders and new faces, ensuring representation across different regions and sectors. The reshuffle is intended to streamline governance and prepare for immediate administrative priorities.
According to The Sunday Guardian, the cabinet’s formation and portfolio distribution signal a strategic approach to governance in West Bengal, as the new administration seeks to address pressing issues and enhance administrative efficiency.