Girija Vyas thanks Sonia, PM after getting Cabinet berth in UPA-II

Girija Vyas, who today took over as Housing, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, thanked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for considering her apt for the coveted post.

Vyas, the Congress MP from Chittorgarh and former head of the National Commission for Women (NCW), said that she is a small party worker.

"It is for the party to decide where to fit in a person. My party has given more than what I deserve. Our leader takes very correct decisions and at the appropriate time and knows it very well where to fit a concerned person," she told the media here.

The portfolio given to Vyas, who often leads the debate on behalf of the Congress on important issues in Parliament, was earlier held by Ajay Maken. Maken had quit on Saturday to work for the party.

The Union Council of Ministers was expanded this with the induction of four cabinet ministers and four Ministers of State (MOS).

Apart from Vyas, the leaders who were inducted as Cabinet Ministers are Sisram Ola, Oscar Fernandes, and Dr. K.S. Rao. Fernandes has been given the charge of Road Transport and Highways Ministry, Sis Ram Ola took over as Labour and Employment Minister and K S Rao as Textiles Minister. Mallikarjun Kharge will be the new Minister for Railways.

Manikrao Gavit has been made Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Santosh Chowdhury, MoS Health and Family Welfare, Jesudasu Seelam, MoS Finance and E M S Natchiappan, MoS Commerce and Industry.

The newly inducted Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan this evening.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers and senior congress leaders were also present on the occasion.