Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday dropped two ministers from her Cabinet and inducted a new face and a former minister, thus keeping the strength of the Cabinet intact.
She also shuffled the portfolios of a few ministers. The new ministers will be sworn in at a simple function at the Raj Bhavan on Tuesday. According to a Raj Bhavan communique, S T Chellapandian has been dropped as labour minister. The portfolio now goes to K T Pachamal, who was Minister of Forests. Pachamal has also been given charge of population, employment and training, newsprint control, census and urban and rural employment.
S Abdul Rahim representing Avadi constituency replaces A Mohammedjan as the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Minister. Former minister S P Shanmuganathan from Srivaikuntam seat is the new Tourism Minister.
The HR and CE portfolio looked after by M S M Anandan has been allocated to P Chendur Pandian. Anandan will now look after the Forest Ministry. Abdul Rahim, a new Minister, takes charge of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes Denotified Communities, Overseas Indians, Refugees, Evacuees, Minorities Welfare, including Wakf.