Karnataka's newly sworn-in cabinet minister G. Parameshwara was on Friday given the powerful home portfolio in a minor re-allocation of posts by Chief Minister Siddaramiah.

The intelligence wing, however, will continue to remain with the chief minister.

According to a Raj Bhavan communique, Governor Vajubjhai R. Vala allocated Bengaluru city and town planning to outgoing home minister K.J. George.

Other newly sworn-in cabinet minister Manohar Tahasildar has been given excise and muzrai (endowments).

New minister of state (independent charge) Vinay Kulkarni got mines and geology while other new minister of state Arakalagud Manju will look after animal husbandry and sericulture.

The chief minister also allocated higher education to cabinet minister T. B. Jayachandra in addition to law, justice and parliamentary affairs.

Siddaramaiah took over higher education from senior cabinet minister R.V. Deshpande in mid-September after he divested commerce and major industries to the latter, who also looks after tourism.

Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake has been divested of town planning and state-run civic corporations pertaining to Bengaluru.

The four new ministers, including two with cabinet rank took oath on Thursday after the ruling Congress high command gave Siddaramaiah the nod to expand his 30-month-old ministry.