The Karnataka government led by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Wednesday allocated portfolios to the expanded Council of Ministers following consultations with the Congress high command. The allocation comes a week after new ministers were inducted into the Cabinet and a day ahead of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly’s monsoon session, which begins on Thursday. Muniyappa has been allocated Social Welfare, and Shivaraj Tangadagi will handle Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada & Culture. Narendra Swamy has been allocated agriculture; H.C. Balakrishna will oversee Municipal Administration, and B. Nagendra has been given Planning & Statistics. The protest is centred on the Cauvery water dispute and demands progress on irrigation projects, including Mekedatu, Mahadayi and Kalasa-Banduri.