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Uttarakhand Cabinet Expanded: 5 New Ministers Join Dhami Government

The Uttarakhand cabinet has been expanded with the induction of five new BJP ministers, sworn in by Governor Gurmit Singh. This move fills long-standing vacancies and brings the cabinet closer to its full permitted strength of 12 members. The expansion follows the previous reduction in cabinet size due to a minister's demise and another's resignation. The reshuffle is viewed as a significant political development as the state prepares for the next Assembly elections.

Key Points: 5 New Ministers Sworn In to Uttarakhand Cabinet

  • Five BJP MLAs inducted as ministers
  • Cabinet strength moves toward 12-member limit
  • Reshuffle follows years of vacancies
  • Seen as key move ahead of 2027 polls
2 min read

Uttarakhand Cabinet expanded; five new ministers sworn in

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expands cabinet with five new BJP ministers, filling vacancies ahead of the 2027 state elections.

"The Dhami government remains committed to development, public welfare, and good governance. - Manveer Singh Chauhan"

Dehradun, March 20

The Uttarakhand Cabinet led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was expanded on Friday with the induction of five new ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan, where Governor Gurmit Singh administered the oath of office.

The new ministers include BJP MLAs Khajan Das from Rajpur Road Assembly constituency, Madan Kaushik from Haridwar, Pradeep Batra from Roorkee, Bharat Chaudhary from Rudraprayag, and Ram Singh Kaira from Bhimtal.

The cabinet expansion comes after months of speculation, as five ministerial posts had remained vacant in the state government. With this move, the Dhami government has moved closer to reaching the constitutionally permitted strength of 12 ministers in the state cabinet.

When the BJP formed its second government in Uttarakhand in 2022, Dhami had taken oath along with eight ministers. However, the cabinet's strength reduced over time due to unforeseen developments. It came down to eight following the demise of Social Welfare and Transport Minister Chandan Ramdas in April 2023. Later, the number dropped to seven after the resignation of Prem Chand Agarwal, who held the Finance and Parliamentary Affairs portfolios, last year.

Over the past four years, discussions regarding cabinet expansion had surfaced multiple times, but no decision was finalised until now. The latest reshuffle is being viewed as a significant political development ahead of the next Assembly elections in the state.

Party leaders had earlier indicated that consultations were underway with the central leadership regarding the expansion. Uttarakhand BJP media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan had stated that the process was part of routine governance and required coordination with the party's top leadership.

He had also emphasised that the Dhami government remains committed to development, public welfare, and good governance. According to him, deliberations with the party's central leadership had paved the way for filling the vacant posts.

The induction of new ministers is expected to strengthen the functioning of the state government and enhance administrative efficiency as Uttarakhand prepares for upcoming political challenges ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see representation from different regions like Rudraprayag and Bhimtal. It's important that the cabinet isn't just Dehradun-centric. Now the real test begins – will they deliver on infrastructure and tourism promises? The 2027 elections are not that far.
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Manish T
While I welcome the expansion, I hope this isn't just a political move for the upcoming elections. We need ministers who work on the ground, not just during swearing-in ceremonies. The previous vacancies for so long show a lack of urgency.
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Sarah B
Interesting to follow state politics from abroad. Stability in the cabinet is crucial for consistent policy-making. Hope this brings more focus to environmental conservation in Uttarakhand, which is so vital.
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Ananya R
Jai Uttarakhand! 🙏 This is a positive step. CM Dhami has been working hard, but a full team will definitely help. My only request to the new ministers: please prioritize solving the water scarcity issues in many villages. That is real seva.
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Vikram M
The article mentions the sad demise of Minister Chandan Ramdas. It's a reminder that these are not just posts, but responsibilities towards the people. Let's hope the new inductees remember that and work with integrity. All the best to them.

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