Rawat distributes portfolios; Amrita denied horticulture

CM retains the portfolio of disaster management where the central package in the wake of June deluge is more than Rs 8,000 cr

After more than a month at the helm of affairs, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has finally distributed portfolios among his cabinet minister last night, a move that came just hours before the model code of conduct which came into force on Wednesday.

As the curtains were finally raised ending the suspense created over the distribution of portfolios, Rawat made only a couple of changes to the previous ministry headed by Vijay Bahuguna.

The most significant change was done in the case of Amrita Rawat, who was not allowed to head horticulture department this time in the wake of polyhouse scandal.

Interestingly, Amrita is wife of Rawat's bête noire and senior Congress leader Satpal Maharaj.

Amirta had allegedly favoured her husband and son in setting up polyhouses in their nurseries where the subsidy is heavy. Amrita denies any wrongdoing in the allotment of polyhouses apparently to boost the family floriculture business.

Amrita is said to be sulking now after not getting horticulture and power portfolios for which she had allegedly lobbied also.

In yet another move, Rawat has retained the portfolio of disaster management where the central package in the wake of June deluge is more than Rs 8,000 crore.

In the Vijay Bahuguna government, the disaster management portfolio was headed by state Congress chief Yashpal Arya, who is also being seen from the rival camp of the Chief Minister. But Rawat was seen also restive and restless all these days despite getting the top job which he had yearned for the past 12 years.

Sources close to Rawat said he did not distribute portfolios all these days because some of ministers like Indira Hridayesh and Harak Singh Rawat were eyeing on the plum portfolios of PWD and Power, which have now being retained by the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, cabinet ministers Pritam Singh, Dinesh Agarwal and Harak Singh Rawat have got one additional portfolio this time. Horticulture department will be headed by Harak Singh Rawat, who has been given the responsibility of Agriculture also. Pritam Singh will head home ministry which is normally remains under the belt of the Chief Minister. Agarwal has got forests department now in addition to his responsibility of sports.