Ministry expanded to full strength with six more inducted
NPF has second Minister with Khashim Vashum
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 16 2022:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expanded his Cabinet to its full capacity as speculated today with the induction of six new Ministers.
The six MLAs who have been given Ministerial berths are BJP legislators Letpao Haokip (Tengnou-pal), Sapam Ranjan Singh (Konthoujam), Thounaojam Basanta Singh (Nambol), L Susindro Meitei (Khurai) and H Dingo Singh (Sek-mai), and NPF's Chingai MLA Khasim Vashum.
With this, the Cabinet's strength has risen to 12 (10 from BJP and two from NPF) which include five new faces-Dr S Ranjan, Y Khemchand, H Dingo, L Susindro and Th Basanta.
The six new Cabinet Ministers were sworn in by Governor La Ganesan during a simple yet solemn function held at Raj Bhavan at around 11 am.
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The oath taking ceremony was attended by the Chief Minister, his Council of Ministers, Chief Secretary, DGP, Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan, BJP State unit president A Sharda Devi and party National Spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra among others.
Notably, the first Council of Ministers which included N Biren Singh, Th Biswajit, Y Khemchand, Nemcha Kipgen, Govindas Konthoujam and Awangbou Newmai was named on March 21 .
Among the districts, three MLA each from Imphal East and Imphal West got Ministerial berths while two from Tengnoupal have been inducted in the Cabinet.
The remaining Ministers are from Tengnoupal (1), Ukhrul (1), Tamenglong (1) and Kangpokpi (1) .
After the oath taking ceremony, N Biren stated that the State Government will now focus on delivering the assurances given ahead of the Assembly election as the Cabinet has expanded to its full capacity now.
To a query, N Biren said that the certain time was indeed taken in Cabinet expansion as BJP won absolute majority (32 seats) in the recent election.
He also clarified that there is no problem or misunderstanding within the party.
The Chief Minister further stated that certain districts were left out as the number of districts in Manipur exceeds the total strength of the State's Cabinet.
The six Ministers who were inducted today assured to hold ADC elections, fight drug menace, control poppy plantation, especially in hill districts, provide clean water to the people and protect human rights in unison.