Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s MK Stalin on Friday took an oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He is being administered the oath by Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
His swearing-in ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan in Chennai. Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Wednesday appointed Stalin as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and invited him to form the government after he staked claim, submitting a letter on his election as legislature party leader.
On Thursday evening, Stalin had released a list of 33 ministers who will be part of his cabinet. The list containing names and portfolios of the ministers was sent to the Governor for his approval and it was approved.
Stalin will hold several portfolios including Home, General Administration, Special Initiatives, Special Programme Implementation and Welfare of Differently -Abled Persons.
The new Chief Minister has also made changes to the names of several ministries:
The Health Department has become Medical and Family Welfare and is to be led by MA Subramanian, who was elected from Chennai’s Saidapet and is the city’s former Mayor.
The Agriculture Ministry has become the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ministry and will be led by MRK Panneerselvam, a five-term MLA from Kurinjipadi in Cuddalore district.
The Environment Ministry – to be headed by Siva V Meyyanathan, who was elected from the Alangudi constituency in Pudukkottai district – will now be Environment – Climate Change Ministry.
Water Resources has been given to DMK general secretary S Duraimurugan. Udhayanidhi`s close aid Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has been given charge of School Education department.
The Labour Welfare Ministry is now Labour Welfare and Skill Development and will be led by Tittakudi MLA CV Ganesan.
The NRI Department is now Non-Resident Tamils’ Welfare and has been given to Gingee KS Masthan, who has also got Minorities Welfare, Refugees and Evacuees, and the Wakf Board.
The Fisheries Ministry has been renamed Fisheries and Fisherfolk Welfare, will be led by Anitha R Radhakrishnan, the MLA from Thoothukudi district’s Thiruchendur, who also got Animal Husbandry.
Personnel and Administrative Reforms has become Human Resources Management, and will be led by Palanivel Thiagarajan, who is the MLA from Madurai (central).
Information and Public Relations has become Information Ministry, and has been given to T Mano Thangaraj, who was elected from Kanyakumar’s Padmanabhapuram seat.
The DMK won 125 seats, while four from the MDMK, two from the MMK, one each from the TVK and the KNMK won on the DMK’s rising sun symbol, taking the tally to 133 in the 234-member assembly.
