Maharashtra crisis: Uddhav Thackeray hands over portfolios of Eknath Shinde, 8 rebel ministers to others

Mumbai: Maharashtra state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday decided to hand over the portfolios of five absent ministers and four ministers of state to other ministers, ensuring smooth functioning of the state in case of heavy rains and calamities.

Thackeray has taken the decision on the backdrop of political turmoil in state due to numbers of Shiv Sena ministers now in rebel camps led by Eknath Shinde.

According to official press statement," the Chief Minister may instruct any other Minister to carry out all or any of his duties in his absence when it is not possible to carry out his duties due to absence, illness or any other reason in Rule 6-A of the Government of Maharashtra.

Similarly, when a minister is unable to carry out his duties, the decision is taken as per the provision that in the absence of that minister, the Chief Minister may direct any other minister to carry out all or some of his duties.

The work of the departments belonging to the concerned Ministers and Ministers of State is being entrusted to the Ministers and Ministers of State named before them till further orders.

Changes in account allocation from the Minister including Eknath Shinde's Urban Development, Public Works (Public Enterprises) Departments given to Subhash Desai, Gulabrao Raghunath Patil's Water Supply and Sanitation Department to Anil Dattatraya Parab, Dadaji Dagdu Bhuse's Agriculture and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Department and Sandipan Asaram Bhumare's (Employment) Guarantee has been given to Shankar Yashwantrao Gadakh and Technical Education Department of Uday Samant to Aditya Thackeray,the statement said.

Similarly ministers of state who are with rebel group also given to others ministers hailing from Congress and NCP parties, it added. (UNI)