No new faces from AP in Union Cabinet re jig, decision on T later

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday stated that he would take a decision on Telangana state issue at the appropriate time.

Talking to media persons after the reshuffling of Cabinet Ministers posts at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the Prime Minister said the Telangana issue is a very sensitive issue and the government would take appropriate decision on it at appropriate time.

Reacting to questions about the rising inflation, Dr Manmohan Singh hoped that the prices of all essential commodities will come down by month end due to efforts of concerned departments.

He said that the Cabinet would be expanded after the General Budget.

Reacting on the Supreme Court taking strong note on black money, Dr Manmohan Singh said the government was doing everything possible to bring back the black money stashed abroad.

Surprisingly, there were no Ministers from Telangana inducted in the Union Cabinet, with the Prime Minister opting for three new faces, Beni Prasad Verma, KC Venugopal and Ashwani Kumar.

The other major changes in the Union Cabinet are that Praful Patel has been elevated to Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises , while Shriprakash Jaiswal is now the head of the Union Coal Ministry and Salman Khursheed being elevated as Union Minister for Water Resources with the additional charge of Minority Affairs.