UP Cabinet Portfolio Allocation Out: Bhupendra Chaudhary Gets MSME Charge, Manoj Pandey Assigned Food & Logistics

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has finalised the allocation of portfolios for its newly sworn-in ministers, with assignments made on the basis of experience and political alignment. The official list, released after receiving the Governor’s nod, outlined responsibilities across key departments to balance administrative expertise with regional representation.

The reshuffle in the Cabinet was part of the state administration's move to streamline governance and sharpen focus on sectors critical to the economy and public welfare. The officials stated that the exercise was designed to ensure that each minister’s portfolio matched their prior work and political standing within the ruling alliance.

Key Portfolios Assigned

Among the notable allocations, UP Minister Bhupendra Chaudhary has been entrusted with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department. The portfolio placed him at the forefront of the state’s efforts to support small businesses and boost employment through the MSME sector, which remains a priority for Uttar Pradesh’s industrial growth strategy.

Minister Manoj Pandey has been given charge of the Food, Logistics and Civil Supplies Department. His responsibilities will include overseeing the public distribution system, managing food procurement and storage, and ensuring the smooth movement of essential commodities across the state.

The government stated that the distribution of portfolios was guided by the need to strengthen service delivery and accelerate policy implementation ahead of key administrative deadlines. A senior official noted that the allocations reflected both seniority and the need to place leaders in areas where they could deliver measurable outcomes.

The new assignments are expected to bring fresh momentum to departments handling rural industry, trade facilitation and food security. Particularly, the MSME portfolio is seen as central to the state’s push for self-employment and local manufacturing under the broader ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ framework.

No further changes to the council of ministers have been announced so far, and the government indicated that the current lineup would be reviewed based on performance and administrative requirements in the coming months.

Following the allocation, the newly inducted ministers are expected to take charge of their respective departments shortly. The government stated that entrusting fresh faces with key responsibilities would help speed up administrative processes and improve delivery at the ground level.

Other Ministers And Their Portfolios

Apart from Bhupendra Chaudhary and Manoj Pandey, Hansraj Vishwakarma has been given charge of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises portfolio alongside Chaudhary as Minister of State. While Ajit Singh Pal has been assigned responsibilities as Minister of State with Independent Charge, he will handle the Food Safety and Drug Administration.

Somendra Tomar has been appointed Minister of State with Independent Charge for Political Pension, Military Welfare and the Provincial Armed Constabulary. Krishna Paswan will serve as Minister of State for Livestock and Dairy Development, and Kailash Singh Rajput has been given Energy and Additional Energy Sources. Surendra Diler has been assigned the Revenue Department as Minister of State.

Notably, the Public Works Department (PWD), regarded as one of the most important portfolios, has not been allocated to any minister. It will continue to remain directly with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Notably, when Yogi Adityanath first assumed office as CM, Keshav Prasad Maurya held the PWD portfolio. After the 2022 elections, the department was handed to Jitin Prasada. Now, this time, the Chief Minister has opted to retain PWD himself, signalling its priority in the government’s infrastructure and development agenda.