In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Madhya Pradesh government has withdrawn the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department from Minister of State (Independent Charge) Lakhan Patel, assigning the portfolio to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav.

Following the change, Patel will now oversee only the Anand (Happiness) Department, making him the first minister in the state's history to exclusively head the department.

The General Administration Department (GAD) issued an official notification formalising the decision soon after the Chief Minister approved the portfolio reallocation.

According to government sources, Chief Minister Yadav met Lakhan Patel at the State Hangar before departing for Ujjain with minister Gautam Tetwal.

CM Now Holds 11 Departments

With the latest change, Dr Mohan Yadav now directly handles 11 departments, including General Administration, Home, Prisons, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Public Relations, Narmada Valley Development, Aviation, Mineral Resources, Public Service Management, Non-Resident Indians (NRI), and Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, besides departments not assigned to any other minister.

The official notification, however, did not mention the Forest Department.

Gaushala Land Allocation Reportedly Triggered Move

Sources indicated that the decision followed concerns over the proposed allocation of land for self-reliant gaushalas (cow shelters) across the state.

The government was reportedly dissatisfied with the credentials of several institutions shortlisted for the project. Despite these concerns, officials and the minister were allegedly preparing to proceed with the allocations.

According to sources, Chief Minister Yadav had repeatedly discussed the issue with Patel over the past three to four months.

Complaints regarding the proposed land allotments reportedly reached senior leaders of both the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after which the government decided to transfer the portfolio.

Only Anand Department Remains

The move leaves Lakhan Patel in charge of only the Anand Department, created by the Madhya Pradesh government in 2016 to promote citizen well-being and happiness initiatives.

Reacting to the development, Sudhir Nayak, president of the Mantralaya Officers and Employees Association, said that for the first time since its creation, the Anand Department would function as the sole responsibility of a cabinet-rank minister.

In a social media post, Nayak described the decision as recognition of the department's growing importance within the state's governance framework.

Second Portfolio Change in Mohan Yadav Government

Lakhan Patel is the second minister in the Mohan Yadav-led government to lose a key portfolio.

Earlier, Nagar Singh Chauhan was divested of the Forest and Environment Department, which was subsequently assigned to Ramniwas Rawat. After Rawat lost the by-election, the portfolio reverted to the Chief Minister, where it has remained since.

The latest reshuffle further consolidates key administrative departments under the Chief Minister's direct supervision.