Mumbai: In a major reshuffle of portfolios today (July 12, 2004) in DF (Democratic Front) ministry in Maharashtra, the crucial Energy ministry was allocated to NCP's (Nationalist Congress Party) Jaidutta Kshirsagar even as Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde retained the Revenue department.

Agriculture Minister Govindrao Adik has been provided with the additional portfolio of water conservation.

NCP's Vimal Mundada, who was elevated to the cabinet rank after the downsizing exercise, will now be the public health minister.

The re-allocation of portfolios was necessitated after Shinde dropped four cabinet ministers and 18 ministers of State to downsize his 65-member jumbo ministry to 43 to meet the constitutional obligation.

The cabinet ministers dropped included Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar and Babasaheb Dhabekar of Congress--who held Revenue and Water Conservation portfolios respectively, and Dilip Valse Patil and Digvijay Khanvilkar of the NCP--who held Energy and Public Health ministries respectively.

The crucial Co-operation ministry, till now held by the Chief Minister himself, has been given to Vilas Patil.

Textile ministry held by Patil has been given to Prakash Awade, who was also elevated to the cabinet rank.

Anees Ahmed, who was elevated to the cabinet rank, would look after Dairy Development and fisheries ministry. While Nawab Malik, who was also promoted, got Special Assistance and Technical Education.

Another NCP minister Manohar Naik, who got cabinet rank after the downsizing exercise, has been entrusted with the medical education and higher education.

Minister of State for co-operation Babasaheb Kupekar has been provided with additional charge of labour, industries and environment.

In the reshuffle, Kripashankar Singh would be keeping both rural and urban Home portfolios with him besides parliamentary affairs.

The Minister of State for home (urban) Rajendra Darda, would not look after energy and State excise.

Minister of State for Food and civil supplies Mohd Naseem Khan would also additional charge of textiles now.