The ruling All India NR Congress president and Chief Minister N.Rangasamy on Monday inducted P.R.Siva, one of the youngest MLAs as a new minister in the cabinet.
The 40-year-old Siva was sworn in as minister at a brief function held in Raj Nivas in the presence of the Chief Minister and other ministers.
Chief Secretary Manoj Parida read out a presidential notification appointing Mr. Siva as a minister.
Lieutenant Governor A. K. Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr.Siva.
He was not allotted any portfolio immediately.
Speaker V. Sabapathy, MPs- R.Radhakrishnan and N Gokulakrishnan , AIADMK MLAs legislator Om Sakthi Sekar and L.Periyasamy were present. Ruling party MLAs- Mr. Kalyanasundaram, G.Nehru and M.Vaithianathan were conspicuous by their absence. Prominent opposition Congress and DMK leaders did not attend the swearing in ceremony.
Even though the Union Territory is permitted to have six ministers including Chief Minister in its cabinet, the AINRC has been running the government with five ministers which including Chief Minister while sixth slot was kept unfilled.
It is after four and years since the All India NR Congress came to power, that Mr. Rangasamy has chosen to fill the sixth slot with Mr. Siva who represents Thirunallar in Karaikal region.
Sudden decision
The sudden decision to go in for a Cabinet expansion, with hardly a few months to the Assembly elections, is being seen as another shrewd move by Mr. Rangasamy to contain dissidence as well as to silence critics complaining about the neglect of the Karaikal region.
Mr. Siva was first elected as an MLA on MDMK ticket in 2006 Assembly from Thirunallar and joined AINRC as he had difference of opinion with MDMK leader. Mr. Siva was elected to the Assembly on an AINRC ticket in the 2011 Assembly polls from the same constituency.
Later talking to the media, Mr.Siva said, “I will perform my duties as per the guidance of Chief Minister N.Rangasamy and will accord top priority to works which required immediate attention. Extra care and attention will be given to Karaikal region.”
Jipmer in Karaikal
Adding that he would focus on creating infrastructure and other basic facilities, the new minister said government would expedite the process of setting up new campus of Jipmer in Karaikal, the appointment of specialists to government hospital, the construction of an indoor stadium and laying bye-pass road.
Mr. Siva also listed out the various works undertaken to develop facilities in and around temple town at an estimated cost of Rs.60 crore from the funds allotted by Union Territory and Union government.
He also said that there is proposal to construct a divine park in Thirunallar at five acre space at an estimated cost of Rs. seven crore.
