Imphal, Jan 12: One year before the expiry of the term of the Secular Progressive Front, SPF, government, a cabinet reshuffle has been put into effect today.
The life of the present Assembly is due to end in February next year, but election is likely to be held earlier.
A notice by the chief secretary, DS Poonia, said, the chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh has retained the portfolios DP, Home, Finance, MAHUD and any other departments not allocated to any other minister.
Most prominently, the chief minister’s known rival and detractor within the cabinet, senior cabinet colleague, Y Erabot has been divested of the Food and Civil Supplies, FCS, portfolio.
The portfolio has not been distributed to any other minister, hence will as per rule lapse into the chief minister’s responsibility.
Education minister, L Jayantakumar Singh has also been divested of the education portfolio. The portfolio has not been given to DD Thaisii.
Most of the other cabinet ministers will continue to handle their old portfolios.
There have also been no new intake of cabinet ministers or the dropping of old ones.
Senior cabinet minister, Th Debendra Singh has been allotted Revenue, Forest and Environment, Law and Legislative affairs and GAD.
Phungzathang Tonsing has been allocated Power, Tribal Development, Hills and Horticulture and Soil Conservation.
Ph Parijat Singh has been allocated the portfolios Agriculture, CADA and Labor and Employment, T N Haokip has been allocated Public Health and Education Department (PHED), Information and Public Relation and Tourism.
Y Erabot Singh has been allocated Commerce and Industry, Sericulture and Printing and Stationary.
N Loken Singh has been allocated Minor Irrigation, Social Welfare and Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.
L Jayantakumar Singh has been allocated Health and Family Welfare and Cooperation, K Ranjit Singh has been allocated Works and Transport and DD Thaisii has been allocated Education and Science and Technology.
Md Alauddin Khan has been allocated Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Minority and Other Backward Classes and Fisheries, N Biren has been allocated Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Youth Affairs and Sports.
