The Hindu : Front Page : Pondy Ministry to be expanded tomorrow

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Sunday, May 28, 2006

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Pondy Ministry to be expanded tomorrow

S. Nadarajan

Three new faces among five Ministers to be sworn in

Pondicherry: The Union Home Ministry has approved the names of five Ministers who will be sworn in on Monday, marking the expansion of the minority Congress Government headed by Chief Minister Rangasamy.

An official source told The Hindu on Saturday that the Lt. Governor received a fax communication from the Home Ministry earlier in the day approving of the names of V. Vaithilingam, E. Valsaraj, P. Angalane, M.O.H.F. Shah Jahan and Malladi Krishna Rao.

Venue shifted

Arrangements are under way for the swearing-in at Gandhi Thidal.

Usually the induction ceremony takes place at Raj Nivas. But, as the turnout of invitees is expected to be large, the venue has been shifted.

Mr. Rangasamy alone assumed office on May 18 amid uncertainty in the Congress on the choice of his ministerial colleagues.

Former Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam will be a Minister in the new Cabinet. Former Health Minister E. Valsaraj (representing Mahe) is becoming a Minister for the third successive term. Shah Jahan, Angalane and Malladi Krishna Rao are new faces.

For the first time, Yanam is getting a Ministerial berth. Mr. Rao represents the lone segment of Yanam.

There is thus a virtually balanced representation for Pondicherry, Mahe and Yanam.

With the Congress drawing a blank in Karaikal, the region goes unrepresented.

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