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Patel expands ministry

Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel inducted 28 new ministers -- 11 cabinet ministers, 13 ministers of state and four deputy ministers -- into his ministry at a simple ceremony in Raj Bhavan on Friday, amidst tight security arrangements.

With this, the strength of the 10-day-old government has gone up to 29.

Gandhinagar, the state capital, was virtually converted into a fortress. All entry points to Raj Bhavan were sealed off.

State Bharatiya Janata Party chief Vajubhai Vala has been allocated the important portfolios of finance, revenue and petrochemicals. Former chief minister Suresh Mehta has been given industry, parliamentary affairs and tourism.

Keshubhai Patel has retained the portfolios of home, ports, rural development, general administration and planning.

Patel has elevated Jaspal Singh and Savji Korat to cabinet rank, entrusting them with civil supplies and food, and roads and buildings departments respectively.

Senior leader Ashok Bhatt has been made in charge of health, family welfare, labour and employment while Fakirbhai Vaghela has been given social welfare, salt development, prohibition and excise.

Technocrat-turned-politician Jaynarayan Vyas has retained his Narmada development portfolio.

Former Rajya Sabha member Anandiben Patel is the only woman in Patel's cabinet. She handles the education and women and child welfare departments.

UNI

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