Union Cabinet Reshuffle: Arjun Meghwal New Law Minister, Kiren Rijiju Given Charge Of Earth Sciences Ministry

In a major Union Cabinet reshuffle, Arjun Ram Meghwal has been made the new Law Minister of India, replacing Kiren Rijiju.

Rijiju has been shifted from the Law Ministry and will now oversee the Earth Sciences Ministry.

The surprise change was announced by a statement from the President's House.

Arjun Ram Meghwal, who has been the minister of state for Culture, has been assigned the independent charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice in addition to his existing portfolios, in place of Shri Kiren Rijiju, the President's Secretariat said in a statement on Thursday.

The portfolio of Ministry of Earth Sciences be assigned to Kiren Rijiju, it added.

This development comes amid tussle over the SC collegium system.

Rijiju took over as the Law and Justice Minister on July 8, 2021. Prior to this, he served as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Youth Affairs and Sports from May 2019 to July 2021.