Guwahati, 08 June (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced the allocation of portfolios among members of the newly constituted state Cabinet, finalising responsibilities for ministers inducted and retained in the Council of Ministers.

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma will continue to hold the Home and Political Affairs, Public Works (Buildings and National Highways, Roads), Power and Information & Public Relations departments. Finance, Environment and Forest and Mines & Minerals portfolios have been assigned to Jayanta Mallabarua, while Keshab Mahanta will oversee Revenue and Disaster Management, Science, Technology and Climate Change and General Administration.

Ashok Singhal has been entrusted with the Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research departments. Pijush Hazarika will handle Agriculture, Irrigation and Parliamentary Affairs, while Dr. Ranoj Pegu has been assigned School Education, Higher Education, Tribal Affairs (Plains) and Information Technology.

Among other allocations, Ashwini Ray Sarkar has been given charge of Social Justice and Empowerment, Soil Conservation and Minority Welfare. Bimal Borah will oversee Cultural Affairs, Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises and Act East Policy. Biswajit Daimary has been assigned Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture and Sports.

Kaushik Rai will head Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs along with Housing and Urban Affairs. Krishnendu Paul has been entrusted with Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas and Barak Valley Development. Nilam Devi will oversee Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Fisheries, while Sushanta Borgohain has been assigned Water Resources and Judicial departments.

The portfolio allocation comes days after the expansion of the Assam Council of Ministers, with the government expressing confidence that the new team will accelerate development and governance initiatives across the state. The “Team HBS Assam” family also extended its greetings and best wishes to all Cabinet ministers on assuming their new responsibilities.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash