Portfolios shuffled, new Minister inducted

Swearing-in ceremony of the new Minister will be held on November 1

A file photo of C. Vijayabaskar, who has been appointed Tamil Nadu Health Minister.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday reshuffled the portfolios of two Ministers and inducted a new minister in her Cabinet.

Dr. C.Vijayabaskar, elected from the Viralimalai Assembly constituency, has been made the Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare.

A Raj Bhavan press release said the swearing-in-ceremony of the new Minister would be held on November 1.

As per the changes, K.C. Veeramani, who earlier held the portfolios of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, has been designated as Minister for School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare.

Till recently, these portfolios were handled by Higher Education Minister P. Palaniappan. Mr. Veeramani was inducted as Health and Education Minister in February 2013.

Dr. Vijayabaskar, 36, a doctor by profession, defeated veteran politician and former Union and State Minister S. Regupathy of Dravia Munnetra Kazhagam in the 2011 Assembly elections.

Dr. Vijayabaskar made witty remarks in the Assembly on Tuesday which infuriated the legislators of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam. They staged a dharna in front of the Speaker, who requested them to remain calm. Later, they were evicted from the House.