JK: Tara Chand divested of Urban dept, Tourism taken from Jora

The portfolios were allocated by the Chief Minister after inducting 10 new faces in his four-year-old cabinet.

According to an official release, Tara Chand will now only be looking after School Education, while Jora has been assigned Urban Development.

Another major portfolio of Health was taken from Sham Lal Sharma and handed over to Minister of State Shabir Ahmed Khan with independent charge.

Minister of State Mir, a Congress MLA from Dooru, will be the new Tourism Minister with an independent charge.

There was no major reshuffle of portfolios among the NC ministers, with Abdul Rahim Rather continuing with Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar with Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mian Altaf with Forest and Environment and Sakina Itoo having the charge of Social Welfare.

The National Conference MLC from Jammu Ajay Sadotra was given the charge of Labour Ministry, whereas former state Assembly speaker Akbar Lone was made in charge of Higher Education.

Choudhary Ramzan has been given the charge of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport and Mir Saifullah will be the new Law Minister, a portfolio held by Sagar earlier.