Akhilesh to expand ministry

Akhilesh Yadav, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, is set to expand his council of ministers on June 27 (Monday), possibly the last reshuffle ahead of the Assembly elections in early 2017 and the seventh in four years. After the surprise dismissal of senior minister Balram Yadav last week, there are four vacancies . Elections to the Legislative Council were held recently and some might be inducted into the council of ministers from the Upper House. There are now 24 ministers of Cabinet rank, 10 ministers of state with independent charge and 22 ministers of state. Governor Ram Naik will administer the oath of office to the new ministers at Raj Bhavan on June 27.