Sugyani sworn in as pro-tem speaker, Naveen allocates portfolios to ministers

Nine time MLA V Sugnana Kumari Deo was on Friday sworn-in as the pro-tem Speaker of the new Orissa assembly to be constituted on Saturday.

The 72-year-old BJD leader, the first woman to occupy the post, was administered the oath of office by Orissa governor M C Bhandare in Raj Bhavan. Besides chief minister Naveen Patnaik, a number of dignitaries, including parliamentary affairs minister Raghunath Mohanty, were present.

After taking oath, Mr Sugyani hoped that the MLAs would demonstrate good conduct and maintain decorum in the House to be able to enjoy people���s confidence. He will administer oath to the newly-elected members during a two-day session of the assembly beginning tomorrow.

Election for the post of Speaker of the 147-member assembly is scheduled to be held on May 25.

Meanwhile, Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik made a delicate balancing act in allotting portfolios to his ministers keeping their track record in mind on late Thursday night.

While Mr Patnaik will retain key departments like general administration, home, forest, water resources, and works, senior leader like Prafulla Chandra Ghadai gets his old finance along with new excise department. Dr. Damodar Raut, gets agriculture, co-operation, fisheries and animal resources development.

Mr Ananga Udaya Singh Deo, who was looking after the works department has got inconsequential department of planning and coordination, public enterprises. Similarly, Mr Surya Narayan Patra, who held important energy department has been allocated revenue and disaster management.

Mr Raghunath Mohanty, has got industries, steel and mining and parliamentary affairs. The only women cabinet minister, Pramila Mallick, has retained women and child Development. Mr Devi Prasad Mishra, has got higher education, tourism and culture. The new face this time is Mr Prasanna Acharya, who will look after health and
family welfare and pension Grievance.

The department of Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relations has gone to Mr Prafulla Samal while Mr Bijoy Ranjan Singh Bariha, has got scheduled tribe, scheduled caste and back ward caste development. Mr Bikram Arukh will be the new face in the cabinet with the key department of rural development and law.

The ministers of state (independent) are Sanjib Sahu-Transport and Commerce, Badrinarayan Patra- Housing and Urban Development. Sarada naik- Supply, Puspendra Singh Deo- Labour and Employment, Ramesh Majhi- Science, Technology, Information Technology, Atanu Sabyasachi Naik ��� Energy, Pratap Jena - school and mass education, Anjali Behera
- textile and handloom, Pravin Chandra Bhanja Deo - Sports and Youth Affairs.

Mr Patnaik also has appointed former minister, Mr Surendra Nath Naik as the deputy chairman, state planning board with cabinet minister rank.