During N Biren Singh’s absence (from April 29), minister Th Bishwajit Singh will look after all the portfolios under chief minister, except finance matters, till his return.
TFM Desk
Two weeks of their induction in the council of ministers, new portfolios have been allocated to six cabinet ministers.
According to a notification issued by the chief secretary, education department has now been reallocated to Thounaojam Basanta Singh along with law and legislative affairs department.
Earlier, education department was allocated to Yumnam Khemchand Singh. He now holds the charge of the departments of MAHUD and rural development and Panchayati Raj.
Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh has been given medical, health & family welfare, and publicity & information departments.
Letpao Haokip was allotted the tribal affairs & hills department, and horticulture & soil conservation departments.
Leishangthem Susindro Meitei has been given the charge of departments of public health engineering and consumer affairs, food and public distribution.
Heikham Dingo Singh is allocated three portfolios, including social welfare, skill, labour, employment & entrepreneurship, and fisheries departments.
Naga People’s Front (NPF) party’s Khashim Vashum has got the departments of animal husbandry & veterinary and transport.
Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren Singh is scheduled to leave for Delhi from Friday. During his absence, minister Th Bishwajit Singh who holds charge of power, forest & environment; agriculture, science & technology will look after all the portfolios under chief minister, except finance matters, till his return. In case of Th Bishwajit Singh’s absence, the senior most minister in the cabinet will look after the urgent work which requires the attention of the chief minister, said a communique signed by N Biren Singh himself.
Chief minister N Biren Singh accompanied by his cabinet ministers also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly announcing that the Centre was working towards lifting of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the Northeast region as law and order situation has improved.
A DIPR report said N Biren Singh has expressed that he along with the state cabinet ministers have discussed Modi’s comment and sincerely appreciated the conviction of the Prime Minister who is trying to revoke AFSPA from the Northeastern part of the country.
The chief minister also acknowledged the presence of various “insurgent groups” and said some are in Suspension of Operation with the government, and some are not and that the state government is initiating to bring them all to the negotiating table so that a political and amicable solution can be arrived at, said the report.
He said that the people of the Northeast once had the feeling of alienation from mainland India, but now the region has become an integral part of the country and the people of the region do not have the feeling of alienation now and have become a part of united India, said the DIPR report.