KCR Reshuffles Cabinet: KTR Now Even More Powerful

Apparently in a move to offer speedy governance, complete projects and schemes, and appease all, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today reshuffled his cabinet.

The Chief Minister took over the Commercial Taxes and Rural Water Scheme portfolios in addition to other non-allotted portfolios.

To please Harish Rao who wanted to focus on irrigation, KCR transferred Mining And Geology (a portfolio being handled by Harish Rao now) to IT Minister K T Rama Rao, who also got Industries And Commerce from Jupally Krishna Rao, NRI affairs and public enterprises, in addition to the portfolios of IT and Municipal Administration that he is already handling.

Jupally, from whom Industries And Commerce was stripped, got Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, a portfolio being handled by KTR so far.

KCR allotted Talasani Srinivas Yadav, who was stripped of his Commercial Taxes portfolion, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, all insignificant portfolios - he continues to retain Cinematography.

Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy was given Cooperatives, too.

It is said that KCR retained Commercial Taxes, a revenue spinner, to give boost to his Mission Bhagiratha and other schemes with timely release of funds. It was also reportedly a way to clip the wings of Talasani, who was reportedly performing below expectations and whose son had nuisance value thanks to his alleged involvement in civil disputes and a kidnapping.

KCR, it is learnt, has plans to press officials to speed up water and irrigation projects, double bedroom houses, hospitals, the KG-to-PG scheme, and Aasara and other welfare schemes.