Shillong, September 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today allotted portfolios to the eight newly inducted ministers while retaining key departments including cabinet affairs and finance for himself.
The eight new ministers include four from the National People’s Party (NPP) Wailadmiki Shylla (Jowai), Timothy D Shira (Resubelpara), Brening A Sangma (Dalu), and Sosthenes Sohtun (Jirang); two from the United Democratic Party (UDP) Metbah Lyngdoh (Mairang) and Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem); and one each from the BJP Sanbor Shullai (South Shillong), and the HSPDP Methodius Dkhar (Mawshynrut). They were sworn in by Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on September 16.
The two deputy chief ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar have retained their existing portfolios. Tynsong will continue to hold home (police), public works department (roads and buildings), district council affairs (DCA), and parliamentary affairs. Dhar retains urban affairs, transport, commerce and industries, and prisons and correctional services.
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Cabinet minister Marcuise N Marak, who was retained, has been given soil and water conservation as an additional portfolio. He will continue to hold public health engineering (PHE) and housing.
The new ministers received key portfolios: Metbah Lyngdoh: power, water resources, taxation, and textiles, Lahkmen Rymbui: education, revenue and disaster management, information and public relations, and law, Timothy D Shira: tourism, agriculture, and fisheries, Brening A Sangma: border area development, excise, and home (civil defence and home guards), Sosthenes Sohtun: community and rural development (C&RD), secretariat administration (SAD), and general administration (GAD), Wailadmiki Shylla: health and family welfare, sports and youth affairs, and home (passport), Sanbor Shullai: animal husbandry and veterinary, arts and culture, printing and stationery, and legal metrology, Methodius Dkhar: food civil supplies and consumer affairs, labour employment and skill, registration and stamps, and cooperation
(Newmai News Network)