Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday completed the expansion of his cabinet, bringing its strength to the statutory maximum of 14 ministers.
Three first-time legislators—Rajesh Agrawal, Guru Khushwant Saheb, and Gajendra Yadav—took the oath of office and secrecy, administered by Governor Ramen Deka, and were assigned crucial portfolios.
Chief Minister Sai lauded the new inductees and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to inclusive governance that represents diverse communities across the state.
The newly formed Chhattisgarh cabinet under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has been allotted portfolios as follows:
1. Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister
General Administration, Mining, Energy, Public Relations, Water Resources, Aviation, Excise, Electronics & IT, Public Grievances & Redressal, and all other departments not specifically allotted.
2. Arun Sao, Deputy Chief Minister – Public Works, Public Health Engineering, Urban Administration & Development, Sports and Youth Welfare.
3. Vijay Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister – Home, Panchayat & Rural Development, Science & Technology.
4. Ramvichar Netam, Minister – Tribal Welfare, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries
5 Dayal Das Baghel, Minister – Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection
6. Kedar Kashyap, Minister – Forest, Environment, Cooperation, Legislative Affairs, Transport
7. Lakhhan Lal Dewangan, Minister – Commerce & Industry, Public Enterprises, Commercial Tax (Excise), Labour
8. Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Minister – Public Health & Family Welfare, Medical Education, Backward Classes & Minorities Welfare, Implementation of 20-Point Programme
9. OP Choudhary, Minister – Finance, Commercial Tax (excluding Excise), Housing & Environment, Planning, Economics & Statistics.
10. Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister – Women & Child Development, Social Welfare.
11. Tankram Verma, Minister – Revenue & Disaster Management, Rehabilitation, Higher Education
12. Gajendra Yadav, Minister – School Education, Literacy & Non-formal Education, Law & Legal Affairs
13. Guru Khushwant Saheb, Minister – Skill Development, Technical Education & Employment, Scheduled Caste Development
14. Rajesh Agrawal, Minister – Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts & Endowments.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai highlighted that the cabinet expansion ensures a balance of regional and social representation while strengthening administrative efficiency.
Political analysts see the move as a strategic blend of fresh faces and experienced leadership, aimed at accelerating development initiatives across the state.
Congratulating the newly inducted ministers, Chief Minister Sai extended his best wishes and expressed confidence that they would serve the people with dedication, commitment, and efficiency. He added that their contribution would help take Chhattisgarh to new heights of development and good governance.
Wishing the ministers a bright tenure, the Chief Minister further stated that the state government, guided by collective cooperation and commitment, will continue to make consistent efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the people.