SPF-II ministry reshuffled
Portfolios reallocated; no new ministers inducted
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 12 2011: Chief Minister, O Ibobi on Wednesday made a major reshuffle in his council of ministers, the second time since the SPF came into power in 2007 for its second stint.

However, the much expected induction of new faces in the SPF ministry by dropping some ministers with a poor track record has not come to reality.

This might have disappointed some Congress MLAs who had high hopes of being inducted as ministers.

Hueiyen Lanpao had already carried out a report of an imminent reshuffle in the SPF government within January, 2011.It had hinted of the induction of new ministers in the Ibobi ministry.

But, the notification issued today by the Confidential and Cabinet Department showed only a change in the portfolios of the ministers.

Today's reshuffle may be the last in the present term of the SPF-II government as its term enters the fifth year and election will take place most probably in the last part of this year or early part of next year 2012 .

The Chief Minister is unlikely to fulfil the promises he had made to his MLAs who helped him to successfully tackle with all dissensions he had faced in 2008 and 2009 .

Among others, MLA Bijoy Koijam and Deputy Speaker Th Lokeshwor were expected to be inducted in the council of ministers as reported by Hueiyen Lanpao on December 28, 2010 quoting sources from the SPF government.

The SFP ministry's commitment of removing ministers with poor performances and those involved in bribery scams and other issues which surfaced from time to time.

A reflection of a conflict within the Congress could also be seen in the reshuffle.

The most affected minister is Y Erabot.

The charge of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD) has been taken away from him and given to minister, N Biren over and above his earlier charge of IFCD and YAS.

Erabot will now be holding charge of Commerce & Industries, Sericulture, and Printing & Stationery.

The reshuffle also affected N Loken as Agriculture has been removed from his charge.

He has been allocated the charge of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry besides his earlier charge of Social Welfare and Minor Irrigation.

The lone CPI minister, Ph Parijat has been given his earlier portfolios of Agriculture, CADA, and Labour & Employment.

Re-allocation of portfolios also affected L Jayentakumar whose earlier charge of Education, Transport and Sericulture has been taken away from him and he has been given charge of Health & Family Welfare, Corporation.

The reshuffle totally changed the portfolios of DD Thaisii who got Education, and Science & Technology.

Earlier he was in charge of Tribal Development, District Council & Hills and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry.

Besides N Biren, K Ranjit and Phungzathang Tonsing were the other ones who have gained from the reshuffle.

Works minister Ranjit has got the additional charge of Transport.

Additional charge of Tribal Development & Hill Department has been given to Phungzathang over and above his earlier charge of Power, Soil Conservation and Horticulture.

The reshuffle did not affect Th Debendra Singh, TN Haokip and Md Alauddin Khan.

The Chief Minister's portfolios were also unaffected.

The reshuffle came after Chief Minister, O Ibobi called on the Governor, Gurbachan Jagat around 3.30 pm today.

The Governor then issued an order effecting the reshuffle on the advice of the Chief Minister, a notification issued by state Chief Secretary, DS Poonia stated.

Comment