Gujarat CM appoints 8 Parliamentary Secretaries

Newly elected Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today appointed eight BJP MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries.
They include MLA Vasanbhai Ahir (Anja), Ranchhodbhai Desai (Patan), Bharatsinh Dabhi (Kheralu), Shamji Chauhan (Chotila), Jethabhai Solanki (Kodinar), Vibhavariben Dave (Bhavnagar), Jayantibhai Rathva (Pavi-Jetpur) and Babubhai Patel (Ahmedabad).
Rupani had yesterday allocated portfolios to his Council of Ministers.
The MLAs took oath of office at Swarnim Sankul in Gandhinagar in the presence of ministers and other key officials of the government this evening, an official press release issued here said.
Out of the eight Parliamentary Secretaries, five were appointed by Rupani's predecessor Anandiben Patel in 2014.

Those who were retained are Vasanbhai Ahir, Bharatsinh Dabhi, Ranchhodbhai Desai, Shamji Chauhan and Jethabhai Solanki, it said.

Three new faces include Vibhavariben Dave, Jayantibhai Rathva and Babubhai Patel.
It is expected that the CM will allot departments to the secretaries soon.
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Rupani also allocated the respective departments to the Parliamentary Secretaries in the evening.
Ahir was given Water Supply, Cottage Industry and Salt Industry, while Desai was allotted Panchayat, Animal Husbandry and Pilgrimage development.
Dave was allocated Women and Child Development as well as Education, Dabhi got Water Resources and Rural Development. Chauhan was given Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department.

Solanki has been allocated Social Justice and Empowerment department, Agriculture and Co-operation went to Patel while Rathva was allocated Forests and Tribal Development department, the release said.