Mukul Roy made new MoS, Railways

Kolkata: Trinomool Congress leader Mukul Roy after meeting Chief Election Commissioner of India speaks to journalists at Jyoti Basu Nagar, on the north-eastern fringe of Kolkata on Tuesday. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish. 22.03.2011

Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy was today appointed as the new Minister of State for Railways following the resignation of Mamata Banerjee from the Cabinet.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will retain the Railway portfolio in the Cabinet.

Mr. Roy, Minister of State for Shipping, will hold additional charge of Railways, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.

President Pratibha Patil tonight accepted the resignation of Ms. Banerjee who will be sworn-in on Friday as the West Bengal Chief Minister. Earlier, Prime Minister forwarded her resignation to the President.

There are already two Ministers of State - Bharatsinh Solanki and K.H. Muniappa - in the Railway ministry.