Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday allocated new portfolios to four cabinet ministers. Departments of health and family welfare as well as food, civil supplies and consumer affairs have also been stripped of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Health and Family Welfare gained a lot of prominence. Tynsong has now been given the charge of Power, Housing, Parliamentary Affairs and Public Works Department (Roads) departments.
It is noteworthy that the Electricity Department has been particularly embroiled in controversies over alleged irregularities. The opposition Congress as well as various political parties have raised questions about irregularities in the department, following which a judicial inquiry is being set up by the government.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister James PK Sangma has become the new Health Minister of Meghalaya.
The Chief Minister re-allocated the portfolios soon after the assembly session.
Sangma will now also look after the departments of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Forest Environment, Information and Public Relations, Law, Taxation, Registration and Stamps.
Sources close to the government said, “With several key portfolios being allotted, Sangma is getting prominence in the cabinet, while important portfolios have been taken away from the deputy chief minister.”
Sniawbhalang Dhar has been given the charge of Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Urban Affairs Minister, Municipal Administration, General Administration and Fisheries Department.
According to a notification, important MLA Dashkhiyatbha Lamare has been given the charge of Transport, Public Works (Building) departments.
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