PUDUCHERRY: The long-awaited expansion of the Puducherry Council of Ministers will take place on June 17, with three new ministers set to be inducted following approval from President Draupadi Murmu.
Acting on the advice of Chief Minister N Rangasamy, the President has cleared the appointment of MLAs P Rajavelu (AINRC), V P Sivakolundhu (AINRC) and G N S Rajasekaran (BJP) as ministers. Their appointment will come into effect from the date they are sworn in.
According to a release from the office of the chief minister on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan will administer the oath of office and secrecy at 9.45 am on June 17.
Rajavelu, who has previously served as deputy speaker and minister, and Sivakolundhu, former speaker in the Congress-led government headed by V Narayanasamy, are returning to the cabinet.
Rajasekaran, elected from Karaikal for a second consecutive term, will be inducted as minister for the first time. The selection is said to ensure representation for the Scheduled Caste community and the Karaikal region.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retained power in the 2026 Assembly elections, winning 18 of the 30 seats. Rangasamy was sworn in as chief minister on May 13, along with BJP leader A Namassivayam and NR Congress’s Malladi Krishna Rao, though portfolios are yet to be allocated.
With the induction of the three ministers, the cabinet will reach full strength, and portfolio allocation is expected thereafter. Officials indicated that elections to the posts of speaker and deputy speaker are likely to follow shortly.
The Union Territory is also preparing to present its budget, which requires cabinet approval before being sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Assembly had earlier passed a Vote on Account of Rs 5,396 crore in February to meet expenditure from April to August in the 2026–27 financial year.