Hyderabad, January 21: Not giving in to the demand of Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today gave Endowments, and Infrastructure-and-Investment portfolios to the two new ministers who joined the cabinet yesterday. Chiranjeevi had sought the plum portfolios of Energy and Commercial Taxes for C Ramachandraiah and Ganta Srinivasa Rao respectively, but Reddy flatly refused, sources said.
Accordingly, the Chief Minister told Chiranjeevi that Commercial Taxes department, a main revenue-generating department for the government, could not be given to PRP. The Chief Minister himself holds this portfolio. Even the Energy could not be given to PRP, Reddy reportedly said. The Chief Minister had a meeting over breakfast with the two new ministers where the portfolio issue was discussed as a continuation of the talks he had with Chiranjeevi las night. As the Chief Minister remained firm, Ganta and Ramachandraiah agreed to take what was offered, sources said. Endowments has been give to Ramachandraiah while Infrastructure and Investment has been given to Ganta Srinivasa Rao, respectively.
–PTI–