Patna, April 15: In a significant move following the formation of Bihar's new government, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has retained responsibility for 29 departments, with additional portfolios set to be distributed after the Cabinet expansion.
The initial allocation of portfolios has been made among the state's top leadership, comprising the Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers, as per an official notification from Governor Syed Ata Hasnain.
Samrat Choudhary, in his new role, will oversee an extensive range of key departments, including General Administration, Home, Cabinet Secretariat, Vigilance, Election, Revenue and Land Reforms, Mines and Geology, Urban Development, Housing, Health, Law, Industries, Road Construction, Agriculture, Minor Water Resources, Labour Resources and Migrant Worker Welfare, Youth, Employment and Skill Development, Tourism, Art and Culture, Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources, Disaster Management, and Welfare of Backward and Marginalized Communities. He will also manage several critical departments yet to be allocated.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has been entrusted with 10 departments, notably including Water Resources, Parliamentary Affairs, Information and Public Relations, Building Construction, Minority Welfare, Education, Science, Technology and Technical Education, Rural Development, Transport, and Higher Education, focusing heavily on governance and infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav will oversee eight departments, including Energy, Planning and Development, Prohibition, Excise and Registration, Finance, Commercial Tax, Social Welfare, Food and Consumer Protection, and Rural Works, key portfolios that drive the state's economic and social welfare agenda.
The remaining portfolios are expected to be allocated after the Cabinet expansion, which will complete the distribution of responsibilities.
Earlier, Samrat Choudhary took the oath of office as Bihar's 24th Chief Minister in a ceremony at Lok Bhawan, administered by Governor Syed Ata Hasnain. Along with him, senior leaders Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, both considered close allies of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.
This initial portfolio distribution reflects a centralised governance approach, with the Chief Minister holding a broad array of departments until the full Cabinet is constituted. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as further ministerial allocations take place, shaping the future direction of the state government.
