Overview
- An order dated February 7 granted minister of state status to 54 appointees to state boards and corporations, contributing to a total of about 149 people now holding cabinet or MoS rank.
- Government details cited by the opposition list 32 cabinet ministers, 43 MLAs with cabinet rank as board or corporation chiefs, 11 MLAs with MoS rank, nine advisers with cabinet rank, and 54 non-MLA appointees with MoS status.
- BJP leaders allege the expanded ranks impose recurring costs near ₹50 crore a year and have demanded a complete list of beneficiaries and a breakdown of expenditure.
- Documents reported by CNN-News18 indicate reduced or short-released funds to multiple SC/ST bodies, including a drop in Ambedkar Development Corporation allocations from ₹218.50 crore in 2022–23 to ₹155 crore in 2025–26 with ₹89.73 crore released so far, and a halving of Thanda Development Corporation funds to ₹66.95 crore in 2023–24.
- Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the conferments as recognition for party workers, as media and opposition also highlight constitutional norms capping cabinet size and note reports that the number with ministerial rank rivals the party’s MLA count.