After allotment of portfolios and chambers in the State Secretariat, several Ministers in the Congress government rushed to their offices on Monday.
While some visited the Vidhana Soudha and inspected chambers allotted to them, others assumed charge after conducting pujas.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Cooperation Minister H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, Home Minister K.J. George, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil, Housing Minister M.H. Ambareesh, Medical Education Minister Sharanaprakash R Patil, Youth Services and Fisheries Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain, Information and Infrastructure Development Minister Santosh S. Lad Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar visited the Secretariat after they assumed charge of their portfolios.
Before holding meeting with officials, the Ministers conducted puja in their offices and distributed sweets to their supporters, officials and well-wishers.
The corridors of the Vidhana Soudha, which had been deserted since the election process began, were abuzz with activity. In some chambers, a large number of well-wishers stood in the queue with bouquets to wish new Ministers.
Unlike other Ministers, Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda and his wife Meenakshi Sheshadri conducted puja to portraits of his father and former Minister late Byre Gowda and Mahatma Gandhi.
Urban Development Minister Vinayakumar Sorake, Women and Child Development and Kannada Culture Umashree visited the Secretariat and inspected chambers allotted to them.
Minutes after assuming charge, Mr. Ratnakar and Mr. Lad chaired meetings with officials of their respective departments and obtained basic information.
On the first day in office, Ministers also made several promises. While Mr. Ambareesh promised to provide houses to all, Mr. M.B. Patil said the government would take steps to safeguard the State’s interests in the Krishna and Cauvery basins. Mr. Jain said efforts would be made to bring more funds to the State from the Centre under the Youth Services.
Mr. Sorake, Mr. Amabreesh and Forest and Environment Minister B. Ramanath Rai have been allotted chambers in the Vikasa Soudha, according to a government notification.
