Mr. Jagat Prakash Nadda becomes the new health and family welfare minister after Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi expanded his ministry yesterday. Dr Harsh Vardhan has been relocated to science and technology, earth sciences ministry with a cabinet rank. Dr Jitendra Singh who was the minister of state for science and technology, has been relieved of the same.

Besides the entry of 21 new ministers , there was also re-allocation of few portfolios to few ministers.

The new health minister, Mr Nadda comes with more than 30 years of political and adminsitrative experience, did his graduation from Patna in Bihar and holds a post-graduate degree in political science and LL.B. from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla.

In 1998, Mr Nadda became cabinet minister (health and family welfare and parliamentary affairs) in Himachal Pradesh state government and served till 2003. During his tenure he started several health programs and promoted generic medicines, by engaging Ayurveda and Homeopathic doctors in different health programs along with MBBS doctors. In May 2012 J P Nadda is elected to Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Indian Parliament) and member of different committees including the one on health and family welfare.

The stint of Dr Harsh Vardhan as S&T minister is being seen again as temporary one since he might be moved to oversee Delhi assembly elections for BJP.