SPF-III Ministry expanded with induction of 3 Ministers
Fight for Deputy CM post slacks off
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 16 2012:
With inclusion of three Ministers; Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh-led new Ministry of SPF-III was expanded today, thereby putting a full-stop to the race for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
After the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh-led Ministry was formed in the state on March 14, Gaikhangam, Th Debendra and Phungzathang Tonsing were sworn in and inducted as Cabinet Ministers for the first phase of Ministry expansion today.
Upon returning from Delhi at around 11.15 am today, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh met Governor Gurbachan Jagat to discuss the proposed Ministry expansion with inclusion of three Ministers.
Consequently, Gaikhangam, Th Debendra and Phungzathang Tonsing took oath as Cabinet Minister no.I, II and III respectively in the evening today.
First of all, the Governor administered the oath of secrecy and office Gaikhangam at around 4 pm today.
After that Th Devendra and Phungzathang Tonsing were s sworn in as Cabinet Ministers.
The swearing in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi, his wife MLA O Landhoni, Y Erabot and other Congress MLAs.
Trinamool Congress MLA I Ibohalbi, LJP MLA Karam Shyam, Principle Secretaries, Commissioners, Secretaries, DGP R Baral, Managing Director of Manipur Police Housing Corporation Y Joykumarand and other top government officials were also present at the occasion.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing in ceremony, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that the portfolios of the newly inducted Cabinet Ministers would be announced within the next couple of days and the remaining Ministers would be inducted in due course of time.
He, however, declined to give a tentative date for swearing in the remaining Minister.
Replying to a query, Chief Minister O Ibobi asserted that there is no tension or fight within Congress over selection of Ministers.
Even the issue over the post of Deputy Chief Minister has been resolved amicably, he added.
Chief Minister O Ibobi further informed that he had tried to solve the problem of insurgency in the state by sending feelers to the UG groups in his previous term.
In the current term as well, the government would continue with its best efforts to solve the insurgency problem once and for all, the Chief Minister assured.
On other priorities areas, Chief Minister reiterated that his government would pay special attention to development of roads and bridges in the state, improvement of health care facilities and providing sufficient potable water to the people.