Kerala CM to handle finance, law as Governor approves portfolio recommendation

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has approved the recommendations made by V. D. Satheesan regarding the allocation of portfolios among ministers who were sworn in along with him on May 18, according to an announcement from Lok Bhavan on Wednesday.

Satheesan will oversee 35 departments, including Finance, Law, General Administration and Ports. Senior Indian National Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has been assigned the Home and Vigilance departments along with three additional portfolios.

Indian Union Muslim League leader P. K. Kunhalikutty has been entrusted with Industries and Commerce, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Startups, Mining and Geology, and Handlooms and Textiles, The New Indian Express reported.

Sunny Joseph, who heads the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, has been given charge of Electricity, Environment and Parliamentary Affairs. Senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan will oversee seven departments, including Health, Devaswoms, Food Safety and Medical Education.

Among the other ministers, Roji M. John has been assigned Higher Education, A. P. Anil Kumar will handle Land and Revenue, and N. Shamsudheen has been appointed as General Education Minister.

Revolutionary Socialist Party MLA Shibu Baby John has reportedly been given charge of Forests and Wildlife Protection as well as Skill Development. Meanwhile, Kerala Congress (Joseph) legislator Mons Joseph will head the departments of Irrigation, Ground Water, Water Supply and Sanitation, and Housing.