The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday allocated portfolios in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's Cabinet, with the Chief Minister retaining key departments including Home, Police and Women and Child Welfare, while senior leader K A Sengottaiyan was given the crucial Finance portfolio.
According to the official allocation list, Vijay will oversee Public, General Administration, Home, District Revenue Officers, Police, Special Programme Implementation, Women Welfare, Youth Welfare, Welfare of Children, Welfare of Aged and Differently Abled Persons, Municipal Administration, and Urban and Water Supply.
The allocation of portfolios comes days after the formation of the new government led by Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and is being seen as an indication of the administration's priorities in governance, infrastructure and welfare.
Sengottaiyan, a veteran politician who recently joined the Vijay-led party after parting ways with the AIADMK, will handle Finance, Pensions and Pension Allowances.
Youngest minister Selvi S Keerthana was allotted the Industries portfolio along with Investment Promotion, making her one of the prominent faces in the Cabinet. The move has drawn attention in political circles, with the government entrusting a major economic department to a young woman minister.
N Anand was assigned Rural Development and Water Resources. His responsibilities include Panchayats and Panchayat Union, Poverty Alleviation Programme, Rural Indebtedness and irrigation projects, including small irrigation schemes.
Aadhav Arjuna was given charge of Public Works and Sports Development. He will oversee Public Works, including Buildings, Highways and Minor Ports, besides handling Sports Development.
Dr KG Arunraj was allotted the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare portfolios, while P Venkataramanan took charge of Food and Civil Supplies along with Consumer Protection and Price Control.
R Nirmalkumar was entrusted with Energy Resources and Law. His departments include Electricity and Non-Conventional Energy Development, Law, Courts, Prisons and Prevention of Corruption, Legislative Assembly, Governor, Elections and Passports.
Rajmohan was assigned School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity. He will also oversee Archaeology, Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture, Film Technology and matters related to the Cinematograph Act, besides Newsprint Control, Stationery and Printing, and Government Press.
Dr TK Prabhu was allotted the Natural Resources portfolio and will handle Minerals and Mines.
The Cabinet allocation reflects a blend of experienced leaders and younger faces as the Vijay-led government begins its first term in office amid heightened public expectations following the party's electoral victory.