Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (MS)
Shivamogga, Feb 10: Chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday February 9 informed that the portfolio allotment to newly inducted ministers in the state cabinet will be done on Monday, February 10.
Yediyurappa spoke to the scribes at his residence at Shikaripur in the district. He also said that the portfolios will be distributed at 10 am on Monday and that there is no confusion in the allocation.
Commenting on disgruntled MLA Umesh Katti who skipped the oath-taking ceremony held on February 6 as he was unhappy over being dropped from the ministerial list, Yediyurappa said, "Umesh Katti should have got the minister position in the first list itself. Katti met the BJP high command in Delhi and later came to my house and met me. Due to certain unavoidable reasons he has not been given minister position. However, he will be offered the minister berth in the coming days. I will make Katti a minister as per my promise," said the CM.
Giving more details on the cabinet expansion Yediyurappa said, "MLA Araga Jnanendra has vast experience. But there is no opportunity at present. We have to give opportunity to those who have come from other parties to BJP. So this time there is no opportunity for Araga Jnanendra. But another position will be given to him. There are many aspirants for the post of ministers, including Jnanendra. I have clarified to everyone the unavoidable circumstances we are in. There is no confusion between the loyal BJP leaders and those who have migrated from other parties. This is a creation of media."
B S Yediyurappa also informed that the state budget will be presented on March 5 and stress will be given to agriculture and irrigation projects. Once the budget is over, the nominations will be done for president post of state corporations and boards.
Regarding the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), he said, "CAA will be implemented in the state at the same time as throughout the country.
"Rs 220 crore additional amount has been sanctioned for the work of Shivamogga airport after the same was approved in the state cabinet. There is a plan to open KFD lab also in Sagar," said the CM.
Among the 10 new ministers, eight are former Congress leaders and two Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) rebels whose resignations in mid-July along with seven other dissident legislators led to the fall of the 14-month-old coalition government on July 23. It facilitated the return of the BJP to power in the state again.