Naqvi takes over as Minister of Minority Affairs

New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday took over as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Minority Affairs.

"Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today (Wednesday) assumed the charge of office of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Minority Affairs," an official statement issued here said.

Naqvi, who was deputy of former Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla, was promoted and given independent charge of the ministry by Narendra Modi government on Tuesday.

Heptulla and former Minister of State for Heavy Industries G.M. Siddeshwara put in their papers on Tuesday.