Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who had insisted that Faleiro keep the Finance, Home and General Administration ministries with himself, was persuaded by the Chief Minister to change her mind. ``I allotted the portfolios in consultation with her,'' Faleiro said at a press conference here today.

Soon after the Cabinet Ministers took their oath of office on Monday, All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer Govindrao Adik told the media that Sonia Gandhi wanted the CM to keep the three important porfolios with himself. He had further added that she took this decision after Faleiro told the media that he did not want to keep any portfolio with himself.

As per today's portfolio allocation, Faleiro will keep Home,Personnel, General Administration, Vigilance and Planning with himself. Narvekar has been allotted Finance, Town and Country Planning, Irrigation and Environment. Subash Shirodkar, who is number three in the Cabinet, has been allotted Public Works and Industry. Joaquim Alemao gets Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs, while Dr Wilfred Mesquitta gets Power.

The two Independents, Victoria Fernandes and John Manuel Vaz, whose support is crucial for the Government, have been rewarded well. While Fernandes has been allotted Agriculture and Fisheries, Vaz has been given Revenue and Urban Development.