DMK gets its pound of flesh

The seven DMK ministers will take charge tomorrow.

The Manmohan Singh-led government moved in to swiftly resolve the storm building up over portfolio allocation to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) by giving in to the demands of the party well before it had a chance to reconsider its support to the government. The seven DMK ministers will take charge tomorrow.

As per the promise, shipping went to TR Balu from K Chandrasekhara Rao and SS Palani Manickam made minister of state for revenue, shifting him from commerce.

Telengana Rashtra Samithi, unhappy over the shipping portfolio given to its leader, K Chandrashekhar Rao, waived its claim on the portfolio after Rao met the prime minister. Rao was redesignated Cabinet minister without portfolio.

Rashtriya Janata Dal's Minister of State Taslimuddin was shifted from heavy industries to agriculture, food and civil supplies, consumer affairs and public distribution following protest from Minister of State Santosh Mohan Deb, who was given independent charge of heavy industries.

Sources in the government said Deb could be elevated to Cabinet Minister rank in the next reshuffle.

Minister of State EVK Elangovan (Congress) was shifted to commerce and industries from petroleum and natural gas.