

PUDUCHERRY: After a long delay, the Puducherry government on Wednesday allocated portfolios to its six member Council of Ministers.
The notification was issued by the Lieutenant Governor in consultation with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy under the Business of the Government of Puducherry (Allocation) Rules, 1963.
According to the notification, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy retained key departments, including Planning and Finance, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Revenue and Excise, General Administration, Health and Family Welfare, Local Administration, Transport, Town and Country Planning, Information and Publicity, Fire Services, and the Confidential and Cabinet Department. He will also oversee all subjects not allocated to other ministers.
Home Minister A. Namassivayam was assigned the Home, Electricity, Education, including Collegiate Education, Law, Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare, and Forest and Wildlife departments.
Public Works Minister Malladi Krishna Rao will handle the Public Works, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Port, Industries and Commerce, and Labour and Employment departments.
Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister P. Rajavelu was allotted the Adi Dravidar Welfare, Art and Culture, Housing, Information Technology, Economics and Statistics, and Stationery and Printing departments.
Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister V. P. Sivakolundhu will oversee the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Social Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare, Women and Child Development, and Minority Affairs departments.
Agriculture Minister G. N. S. Rajasekaran was entrusted with the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Sports and Youth Affairs, DRDA, Community Development, Rural Development, and Sainik Welfare departments.