Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge has been once again given the charge of Information Technology and Biotechnology (IT&BT) as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday made a minor re-allocation of portfolios to his cabinet. Along with existing portfolios. Kharge will now take care of IT&BT as well while Large & Medium Industries Minister M B Patil has been given the additional charge of Infrastructure Development, reported PTI.
The development comes after a tussle broke out between Kharge and Patil over the portfolio, causing Siddaramaiah to retain it with himself. After the allocation of portfolios to 33 ministers in his cabinet on Sunday night, the IT&BT portfolio was retained by him which was given to younger ministers. As per an Indian Express report, the tussle broke out between the two ministers over the portfolio.
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The IT&BT portfolio becomes significant in Karnataka as state capital Bengaluru is considered to be the IT capital of the country.
“Priyank Kharge sought the IT/BT portfolio since he had handled it previously. However, as industries minister M B Patil was of the view that the IT/BT portfolio is closely allied to the industries ministry. A decision was taken by the CM to keep the portfolio with himself on account of the competition for the portfolio,” reported Indian Express quoting its source as saying.
As per the notification on portfolios issued on May 28, Siddaramaiah held Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, Information, IT/BT, Infrastructure Development and all unallocated portfolios.
In the Sunday allocation of portfolios, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar got the all-important Major and Medium Irrigation and Bengaluru City Development, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.