In an interesting development seemingly laden with political significance for the State, Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday gave the additional charge of Social Welfare department to the State Health Minister Surendra Singh Negi. Notably, Negi proved a giant killer as he had defeated the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Maj Gen Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri during the Assembly elections 2012 thus helping Congress to emerge as the single largest party. This political development has left several Congress MlAs who have been expectantly waiting in the wings to be inducted into the Harish Rawat Cabinet all the more impatient. They were found lending colour to the development, projecting it as something that would unfurl expansion of the Cabinet in the coming days.
Talking to the media persons, the chief secretary Rakesh Sharma said with the consultation of the Chief Minister, Governor has approved the State Government's recommendation to give additional responsibility of Social Welfare Ministry to Negi.
Political analysts said bestowing the additional charge of social welfare department-an important charge by all accounts-on Negi reveals the CM's mounting confidence in him. “The department was mired in negligence since the death of the Cabinet minister Surendra Rakesh. The CM said that the minister Negi is the most competent among his Cabinet colleagues. The step is in line with his rising confidence in Negi,” one of the State watchers said.