West Bengal: CM allocates portfolios to five ministers

West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday allocated portfolios among the first batch of his council of ministers, which has five members. As per the State government order, former state unit BJP chief Dilip Ghosh got the panchayats and rural development department, along with animal resources and agricultural marketing.
Agnimitra Paul got the women and child development department, along with social welfare and municipal affairs portfolios. Ashok Kirtania got food and civil supplies and co-operation departments, Khudiram Tudu is minister for tribal development, backward classes welfare, along with minority affairs and madrasha education. Nisith Pramanik was entrusted with the North Bengal development department along with youth services and sports. Pramanik also served in PM Narendra Modi's cabinet earlier."The rest of the departments will be looked after by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari," the notification read. These include home affairs and finance. Given the size of the West Bengal legislative assembly, which has 294 seats, the government can have up to 44 ministers.