Lalchand Kataria's portfolio changed from MoS Defence to MoS Rural Development

New Delhi: Newly sworn-in Minister of State for Defence Lalchand Kataria has now been appointed as Minister of State for Rural Development Ministry after much confusion. Kataria, a first-time inductee into the Cabinet, was given his new post after meeting the Prime Minister on Tuesday.

His first appointment as MoS Defence was put on hold as the other MoS Defence Jitendra Singh is also from Rajasthan. Kataria had refused to take charge in Defence Ministry in the past two days and official sources said he conveyed to Singh that since the other Minister of State Jitendra Singh also hailed from Rajasthan like him, he would find it difficult to work in Defence Ministry.

The PMO, however, had clarified that there has been no objections from Defence Minister AK Antony over Kataria's appointment.

His first appointment as MoS Defence was put on hold as the other MoS Defence Jitendra Singh is also from Rajasthan.

In two other changes, young MP Milind Deora, Minister of State (MoS) in Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry, got the additional portfolio of Shipping in the same rank and Panabaka Laxmi, who was made MoS in Textile Ministry on Sunday, was reallocated Petroleum and Gas department.

(With additional information from PTI)

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