Dikshit also showered praise on Minister A K Walia, who was yesterday divested of key departments of Urban Development and Revenue, for working "tirelessly" to expedite the process to regularise unauthorised colonies. Walia is not known to have best of relations with Dikshit.
"The reshuffle of portfolios was carried out to re-energise the government. Some Ministers were overburdened while some others did not have much work. So I have decided to rationalise responsibilities," Dikshit said.
Addressing a press conference on regularisation of 917 unauthorised colonies, Dikshit said, "I specially thank A K Walia for doing all the hardwork in expediting the process of regularisation. He worked more than the bureaucrats."
Arvinder Singh Lovely emerged as the biggest gainer as he has been given both Urban Development and Revenue departments.
He has also been given the charge of Directorate of Local Bodies, another crucial department which oversees the functioning of the three newly created municipal bodies.
The government issued a notification today effecting the changes in portfolios of the ministers.
Lovely has been relieved of Education and Transport departments. Walia will, however, continue to hold charge of Health and Flood and Irrigation departments. He has also been given charge of Higher Education, which was with Dikshit, and Labour department.
Women and Child Welfare Minister Kiran Walia, considered close to Dikshit, has been given additional charge of Education department. Walia will continue to hold charge of Social Welfare department.
Ramakant Goswami, another Dikshit loyalist, has been given Transport department but the Industry and Labour departments have been taken away from him. He has also been given charge of elections, law, Justice and Legislative Affairs.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Harun Yusuf has been given the Industry's department as well as Employment department. He will continue to hold charge of power department as well.
PWD Raj Kumar Chouhan has been given additional charge of Development department which was earlier with Yusuf.
The last reshuffle had taken place in February 2011, when Dikshit brought Goswami into the Cabinet while dropping Mangat Ram Singhal. Dikshit continues to retain key portfolios including Finance.
