Ministry expanded with induction of three more
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 23 2017: Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren's eight days old Council of Ministers has been expanded today with the induction of three Cabinet Ministers.

Three MLAs were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers at a function held at Raj Bhavan.

Now the Council of Ministers has 11 Cabinet Ministers apart from the Chief Minister.

The three MLAs who were sworn in today as Cabinet Ministers are Nemcha Kipgen (Kangpokpi AC), V Hangkhanlian (Churachand-pur AC) and Th Radheshyam (Heirok AC).

All three are from the BJP.

Notably, the maximum number of Cabinet Ministers the State Government can have including the Chief Minister is 12.

Ministry expanded with induction of three more

District-wise distribution of Cabinet Ministers stands as Senapati two, Kangpokpi one, Churachandpur one, Thoubal one, Chandel one, Imphal West three and Imphal East three (including the Chief Minister).

As such, Pherzawl, Noney, Kamjong, Kakching, Ukhrul and Jiribam districts are not represented in the Council of Ministers.

The swearing in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister N Biren, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar and other Ministers.

Ex-Chief Minister O Ibobi, former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP Manipur Pradesh president K Babhananda, senior State BJP leaders, Chief Secretary, DGP, top civil and police officials were also present at the swearing in ceremony.

Speaking to media persons before the swearing in ceremony held this afternoon at the Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister N Biren said that works of filling in potholes of all major roads leading to Khwai-ramband Keithel and other key market places have started.

Due processes have also been initiated to repair dilapidated sections of Imphal-Jiribam highway on a war footing.

Authorities concerned have been instructed to send photographs of roads before they are repaired and after they are repaired through WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren has appointed 12 MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries.

They are; Leishang- them Susindro alias Yaima (Khurai AC, BJP), Soibam Subhaschandra (Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC, BJP), Lourembam Rameshwor (Keirao AC, BJP), N Indrajit (Kshetrigao AC, BJP), Kong-kham Robindro (Mayang Imphal AC, BJP), Thokchom Satyabrata (Yaiskul AC, BJP), Heikham Dingo (Sekmai AC, BJP), Ashab Uddin (Jiribam AC, Ind), Khasim Vashum (Chingai AC, NPF), K Leishiyo (Phungyar AC, NPF), Awangbow Newmai (Tamei, NPF) and Dr Sapam Ranjan (Konthoujam, BJP).

AITC MLA T Robindro has been appointed as PDA Chairman and Dr Y Radheshyam (BJP) of Hiyanglam AC as Chairman of MANIDCO and MANITRON.

The Parliamentary Secretaries were administered the oath of office and secrecy at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today, according to a press release issued by Chief Secretary O Nabakishore.

Chief Minister N Biren stated that the portfolios of Cabinet Ministers and Chairmen of corporations would be announced soon.

Chief Minister N Biren was sworn in as the 20th Chief Minister of Manipur on March 15 along with eight Cabinet Ministers.

The eight Cabinet Ministers sworn in earlier are BJP's Th Biswajit (Thongju AC), NPP's Yumnam Joykumar (Uripok AC), NPP's L Jayantakumar (Keishamthong AC), NPP's N Kayisii (Tadubi AC), NPP's Letpao Haokip (Chandel AC), NPF's Losi Dikho (Mao AC), LJP's Karam Shyam (Langthabal AC), Congress' Th Shyamkumar (Andro AC) .