Raipur, Dec 18 (IANS): Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt administered the oath of office and secrecy to nine legislators in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government Wednesday.
Raman Singh kept three slots vacant in the council of ministers, which he hopes to fill up after the Lok Sabha polls next year.
The chief minister retained five ministerial colleagues of his second stint (2008-13) in the new cabinet: Brijmohan Agrawal, Amar Agrawal, Kedar Kashyap, Punnulal Mohle and Rajesh Munat.
The four new faces are former assembly speaker Premprakash Pandey, former minister Ajay Chandrakar, BJP state chief Ramsevak Paikra and Ramshila Sahu.
Political analysts described the new cabinet as a perfect blend of experience and youth.
The BJP has ruled Chhattisgarh since 2003.