In a significant move following the recent swearing-in of the new cabinet, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya allocated portfolios among the council of 14 ministers on October 20, 2024. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini retained 13 crucial portfolios, reaffirming his influential role in the state’s governance.
The Gazette notification revealed that Saini will oversee key departments such as Home, Finance, Planning, and Criminal Investigation. This consolidation of power allows Saini to maintain a strong grip on essential functions of the state, enhancing his leadership position within the BJP’s third regime in Haryana.
Key Portfolios and Ministerial Assignments
In the previous government led by Manohar Lal Khattar, Anil Vij managed the Home Department. However, he has now been reassigned to handle the Labour Department, in addition to overseeing Energy and Transport.
The newly formed cabinet reflects a strategic allocation of responsibilities aimed at addressing the diverse needs of the state. Here’s a breakdown of the key portfolios assigned to the ministers:
- Nayab Singh Saini (Chief Minister): Home; Finance; Planning; Excise and Taxation; Town and Country Planning and Urban Estates; Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture; Criminal Investigation; Law and Legislative; Administration of Justice; General Administration; Personnel and Training; Housing for All.
- Anil Vij: Energy; Transport; Labour.
- Krishan Lal Panwar: Development and Panchayat; Mines and Geology.
- Rao Narbir Singh: Industries and Commerce; Environment, Forests and Wildlife; Foreign Cooperation; Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare.
- Mahipal Dhanda: School Education; Higher Education; Archives; Parliamentary Affairs.
- Arvind Sharma: Cooperation; Jail; Election; Heritage and Tourism.
- Vipul Goel: Revenue; Disaster Management; Urban Local Bodies; Civil Aviation.
- Shyam Singh Rana: Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Fisheries.
- Ranbir Gangwa: Public Health Engineering; Public Works (Buildings and Roads).
- Kishan Kumar: Social Justice, Empowerment, and SCs and BCs Welfare; Antyodaya; Hospitality; Architecture.
- Shruti Choudhry: Women and Child Development; Irrigation and Water Resources.
- Arti Singh Rao: Health; Medical Education and Research; AYUSH.
- Rajesh Nagar (Minister of State): Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (Independent Charge); Printing and Stationery (Independent Charge).
- Gaurav Gautam (Minister of State): Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge); Sports (Independent Charge); Law and Legislative (Attached).
Political Context
The new cabinet comes after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the latest assembly polls, winning 48 out of 90 seats, while the Congress party claimed 37 seats. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) won two seats, and independent candidates garnered three seats.
With this cabinet formation, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini aims to bolster governance and address pressing issues in Haryana, while also maintaining strong leadership within the BJP. The allocation of portfolios highlights the government’s commitment to addressing various sectors, from education and health to agriculture and urban development, as it embarks on a new term in office.