Vijaya Basker assumes office

Vijayabaskar being sworn in as a Health Minister by K. Governor Rosaiah (not in the picture) at Raj Bhavan on Friday. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is in the picture. Photo: R. Ragu

C. Vijaya Basker was on Friday inducted into the State cabinet as Health Minister.

Governor K. Rosaiah administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at a ceremony held in Raj Bhavan, which was attended by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, speaker P. Dhanapal, several Ministers and legislators.

Dr. Basker took the oath in the name of God and later took the blessings of the Chief Minister.

With the recent reshuffle, the number of Ministers has risen to 32. This is the 12th reshuffle effected by the Chief Minister.

As a doctor and a law graduate, Basker (39) represents the Viralimalai Assembly Constituency in Pudukottai district. He replaces K.C. Veeramani, who has been designated as Minister for School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare.

Dr. Basker, a newcomer , also has the distinction of being the second doctor after Vijay to hold this post.

Mr. Veeramani is the new School Education Minister. This post was held by C.Ve. Shanmugam, N.R. Sivapathy, Agri S.S. Krishnamoorthy, Vaigai Chelvan and P. Palaniappan. Till recently, Higher Education Minister Palaniappan was holding additional charge.