Karnataka cabinet portfolion allocation: CM Shivakumar keeps finance, law; Zameer gets housing | Check full list

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made a symbolic gesture on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the state legislature, bowing before entering the Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru on Thursday. The act, performed at the Vidhana Soudha, marked the beginning of the session, during which lawmakers paid homage to 15 notable figures who have contributed significantly to society. Among them were former legislators, activists, artists, and political leaders. Mr. Shivakumar also bowed again before sitting down in the Chief Minister's chair, reinforcing a tradition of respect and humility. The session commenced with a solemn ceremony dedicated to the memory of these individuals. The attendees included Mr. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, and over a dozen other legislators. They honored former Minister D. Sudhakar, C. Veeranna, Venkataramanappa, Ramachandra Gowda, K.S. Srinivasaiah, S.H. Puttaranganath, Sayyed Yasin, V. Srinivasan, H.M. Chandrashekarappa, R.G. Venkatachalaiah, S. Krishnappa, former Rajya Sabha member H. Hanumanthappa, singers S. Janaki and Asha Bhosle, and Chennamma, the wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Each tribute highlighted the diverse impact these individuals had on Karnataka’s cultural, political, and social landscape. In addition to paying respects, Mr. Shivakumar announced plans to name an irrigation project in his constituency, Hiriyur, after Sudhakar, acknowledging his contributions to the region. This decision underscores the government’s effort to recognize and honor past service to the state. Earlier in the week, Mr. Shivakumar finalized the allocation of portfolios among the newly inducted members of his cabinet. Following a cabinet expansion on August 3, the chief minister convened a meeting to assign responsibilities to the additional ministers. The process followed discussions at a Congress party meeting in Delhi, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, aimed at ensuring smooth coordination within the state government. The current cabinet includes 34 ministers, including the chief minister himself. With the recent additions, there is now one vacant position in the cabinet. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s office released the official order detailing the new assignments. Mr. Shivakumar retains key portfolios such as finance, law, and agriculture marketing, alongside oversight of several critical departments including town and country planning and urban local bodies. His role extends to managing the Bengaluru Development Authority and Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority regions. Among the new appointments, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan was entrusted with the housing ministry, while Ramalinga Reddy took charge of forest, ecology, and environmental sectors. Lakshman Savadi was assigned the co-operation ministry, excluding agricultural marketing. Rudrappa Manappa Lamani oversees sugar and textiles, and K.H. Muniyappa, previously the food and civil supplies minister, now handles the social welfare department. This shift reflects ongoing efforts to balance representation and expertise within the government. Other notable appointments include Shivaraj Tangadagi, who takes on the responsibility of backward classes welfare and Kannada and culture, and U.T. Khader, who manages minority welfare, haj, and wakf, alongside health and family welfare. T. Raghumurthy is responsible for scheduled tribe welfare, while Ajay Singh oversees minor irrigation and science and technology. The distribution of responsibilities continues to reflect the complex dynamics of governance in Karnataka, balancing regional priorities with national mandates.