Signing you in

The animal husbandry department has been placed under Yadav; this is the chief minister’s 12th department, including some heavyweight ones such as home, forests, general administration, Narmada Valley Development Authority and mining.

A gazette notification appeared in the public domain on July 15, showing Patel as holding only the happiness portfolio. Various theories began doing the rounds soon after since the government did not clarify or offer any reasons.

One of the theories is that the BJP central leadership had asked Yadav to take the decision. The Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation, which was under the animal husbandry department, has been placed under the management control of the National Dairy Development Board. The board is under the Union ministry of cooperation, overseen by Amit Shah. Observers feel any delay in decisions regarding the State Cooperative Dairy Federation’s work could have far-reaching consequences since it will be directly monitored by Delhi.

Another highly speculated reason is the complaints regarding alleged wrongdoings in allotment of land under the Swavlambi Gaushala Scheme. Fourteen such gaushalas are to be established in the state. Letters of intent have been issued for four while seven are in the tender stage.

The chief minister had apparently received a call late on July 15 and orders for divesting Patel’s portfolio were issued immediately after securing concurrence from governor Mangubhai C. Patel.

Patel is an MLA from Patharia in Damoh district of Bundelkhand region. He is a second-term legislator. The happiness department he will be overseeing aims to mainstream the concept of happiness in policymaking besides developing a happiness and wellbeing index to map the state’s citizens.