CM Kejriwal keeps crucial power, finance, home portfolios

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday allocated portfolios to his six Cabinet colleagues while keeping the key departments of home, finance, power and vigilance with himself.

The chief minister will also keep planning, services and all other departments not allocated to the ministers.

Manish Sisodia, considered close to Kejriwal, has been given the charge of revenue, PWD, urban development, education, higher education, local bodies and land and building departments.

In his first press conference after being sworn-in as the chief minister, Kejriwal said Somnath Bharti, a postgraduate from IIT Delhi, will take charge of administrative reforms, law, tourism and culture.

Administrative reforms are high on Kejriwal's agenda, who has vowed to take measures to decentralise power and establish the Mohalla Sabha. The department is also likely to take steps to bring an end to the VIP culture prevalent in the capital and provide time-bound and efficient services to the people.

The youngest minister in Kejriwal's Cabinet -- Rakhi Birla -- will handle social welfare and women and child development departments. She has also been given the additional charge of drawing up a plan of action to enhance security for women.

Girish Soni has been given charge of labour, skill development and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe departments.

Satyendra Jain has been allocated health, industries and gurudwara elections.

Kejriwal said a Cabinet meeting will decide the dates for convening the state assembly as well as possible steps to end VIP culture in the city.

"We will discuss three issues in the Cabinet which include finalising the date to convene the assembly, steps required to end the VIP culture like restricting the use of red beacons and security by government officials and MLAs in Delhi," he said.

Kejriwal said he will hold separate meetings with officials from power and transport departments, Indraprastha Gas Ltd and the Delhi Jal Board. He said he will also meet Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi.

The chief minister said, if required, he will hold a second Cabinet meeting later in the evening.