The Manipur government has allocated portfolios among members of the newly formed Council of Ministers, with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh retaining charge of eight departments besides those that have not been specifically allotted.
The portfolio distribution comes weeks after Singh took oath as chief minister on February 4 along with four MLAs who were sworn in as members of the Council of Ministers.
According to a government notification issued by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, the portfolios were allocated by the governor in pursuance of Rule 6(1) of the Rules of Business of the Manipur government on the advice of the chief minister.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen has been assigned the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department along with Tribal Affairs and Hills. Another Deputy Chief Minister, Losii Dikho, has been given charge of the Public Health Engineering department as well as Forests, Environment and Climate Change.
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Among other ministers, Konthoujam Govindas Singh has been allocated the Home department along with Youth Affairs and Sports. Khuraijam Loken Singh has been entrusted with the Arts and Culture department in addition to Tourism.
The distribution of portfolios marks a key administrative step for the newly installed government, enabling ministers to begin overseeing their respective departments and policy priorities.
Singh had taken oath as chief minister following the formation of the new government in the northeastern state, with the initial Cabinet comprising four ministers besides the chief minister.
Under the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, the strength of the Council of Ministers in a state cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly.
The 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly currently has 58 sitting members after the demise of National People’s Party MLA N Kayisii and BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte.
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