Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed new federal ministers for health, IT and oil as part of a reshuffle aimed at refurbishing his government’s image amid fierce criticism of its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Modi appointed Mansukh Laxman Mandaviya as the country’s new health minister just hours after Harsh Vardhan, who was the face of the government’s efforts to fight COVID-19, was asked to step down along with his deputy.
![India's President Ram Nath Kovind, left, administers the oath during the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers [PIB/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/000_9ED4RP.jpg?resize=770%2C513)
India’s President Ram Nath Kovind, left, administers the oath during the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers [PIB/AFP]