Advani adds coal to his portfolio

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister L.K. Advani today assumed charge of the coal and mines ministry, throwing Shastri Bhawan into a tizzy. The gates of Shastri Bhawan — which also houses seven other ministries including Information and Broadcasting, Human Resource Development, Environment and External Affairs — were closed at 3:30 pm today, an hour before Advani was to arrive owing to security reasons.

Advani, holding additional charge of the portfolio, was welcomed by Minister of State for Coal and Mines Ravi Shankar Prasad and other officials carrying bouquets and garlands.

Refusing to answer questions, Advani just said his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with the working of the ministry. But most see the additional charge as a way of keeping the ministry warm for Mamata Banerjee.

Senior officials and chiefs of various PSU’s under the ministry of coal and mines were also introduced to him.