Six Ministers replaced

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The Hindu New faces in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet: (clockwise from top left) S. Damodaran, R. Kamaraj, S. Sundararaj, Rajenthra Bhalaji, V. Moorthy and M. Paranjothi. File photos

The first major shuffle of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Ministry was announced on Friday with the change in the portfolios of a couple of senior Ministers, removal of six Ministers and the induction of six fresh faces.

Agriculture Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, ranked third in the order of Ministers, no longer holds the portfolio. Instead, he has been given Information Technology.

The other senior Minister M.C. Sampath, who was in charge of Special Programme Implementation, will now look after Rural Industries and Nutritious Noon Meal, the last of which was till now with Social Welfare Minister Selvi Ramajayam. The subjects of two other Ministers, T.K. Chinnayya and B.V. Ramanaa, have been changed. Mr Chinnayya, who was holding the portfolio of Environment, will take care of Animal Husbandry, while Mr Ramanaa has been re-designated as Environment Minister.

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The axed Ministers were Rural Industries Minister C. Shanmugavelu, IT Minister R.B.Udhayakumar, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Minister S.P. Shanmuganathan, Animal Husbandry N.R.Sivapathi, Information and Law Minister G. Senthamizhan and Food Minister Budhichandhiran. A press release issued by the Raj Bhavan stated that Governor K. Rosaiah approved the dropping of the Ministers on the advice of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Those who will be inducted are S. Damodaran, three-time Member of Legislative Assembly from Kinathukadavu (Coimbatore District); R. Kamaraj, the ruling party's Tiruvarur district secretary and MLA from Nannilam; S. Sundararaj, two-time MLA from Paramakudi (Ramanathapuram); M. Paranjothi, two-time MLA and who has recently won from the Tiruchi (West) constituency; V. Moorthy, Madhavaram MLA and K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, Sivakasi MLA of the Virudhunagar District.

Mr. Damodaran has been given the portfolio of Agriculture; Mr. Kamaraj, the subject of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection and Price Control. Dr. Sundararaj will handle Handlooms and Textiles; Mr. Paranjothi – HR & CE, Law, Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Prevention of Corruption; Mr. Moorthy – Milk and Dairy Development and Mr. Bhalaji – Information and Special Programme Implementation.