Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Amid Ganesh Chaturthi fervour, Goa’s political stage witnessed a reshuffle on Tuesday as the state government announced portfolios for two newly inducted ministers and introduced minor changes for sitting ministers.
Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has been entrusted with the crucial Public Works Department (PWD), besides Captain of Ports and Legal Metrology.
Ramesh Tawadkar, who resigned as Speaker to join the cabinet, has been given charge of Art & Culture, Tribal Welfare, and Sports in the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet.
Among existing ministers, Subhash Phaldessai has been allotted the additional responsibility of Drinking Water Supply, though he has been relieved of Archives and Archaeology. Senior leader Sudin Dhavalikar will now handle Museum & Gazetteer as additional portfolios but has lost the Housing department.
The portfolios of Law and Judiciary as well as Environment, earlier held by Aleixo Sequeira who resigned last week citing personal reasons, remain unallocated. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will retain these portfolios along with other unassigned departments for the time being.
The announcement came after a marathon meeting between the Chief Minister and the newly inducted ministers at his official residence in Panaji late Tuesday evening.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will continue to retain key portfolios including Home, Finance, Personnel, Vigilance, and Official Language, while also overseeing any department not specifically mentioned in the notification.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has been entrusted with additional responsibilities, managing the portfolios of Urban Development, Town and Country Planning, Women and Child Development, and Forests. Similarly, Mauvin Godinho will oversee Transport, Industries, Panchayat Raj, and Protocol.
Veteran leader Ravi Naik will handle Agriculture, Handicrafts, and Civil Supplies, while Subhash Shirodkar has been given charge of Water Resources, Co-operation, and Provedoria. Tourism promotion and the state’s digital push will remain under Rohan Khaunte, who will manage Tourism, Information Technology, and Printing & Stationery.
Atanasio Monserrate has been assigned Revenue, Labour, and Waste Management, while senior MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar will look after Power, New and Renewable Energy, Museums, and Goa Gazetteer & Historical Records.
The fisheries sector and allied departments will be led by Nilkanth Halarnkar, who takes charge of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and Factories & Boilers. Subhash Phal Dessai has been allocated Social Welfare, Drinking Water, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and River Navigation.
