GUWAHATI: In a significant yet minor cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assumed charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department, previously managed by Keshab Mahanta.
The reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, aims to strengthen the state’s governance framework following the resignation of former minister Parimal Suklabaidya.
Keshab Mahanta, a member of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and BJP’s alliance partner, has been reallocated the departments of Transport, Excise, and Fisheries.
These portfolios were formerly overseen by Suklabaidya, who stepped down after his election to the Lok Sabha from the Silchar (SC) constituency.
The Governor has accepted Suklabaidya’s resignation.
Chief Minister Sarma continues to hold several significant portfolios, including Home, Personnel, Public Works, Medical Education and Research, and Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture.
His return to the Health and Family Welfare Department is particularly noteworthy, given his pivotal role in the previous administration led by Sarbananda Sonowal.
As Health Minister during that time, Sarma spearheaded efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, enhancing health infrastructure and implementing crucial measures to support patients and migrant workers during the lockdown.
The reshuffle has been acknowledged and accepted by the Governor, paving the way for the newly assigned ministers to take charge of their respective departments and contribute to the state’s development.
Earlier on June 4, Suklabaidya won the Silchar Lok Sabha seat with a record margin of 6,52,405 votes against Congress’ Surya Kanta Sarkar.
His victory marks a significant milestone, breaking all previous vote count records in the history of Silchar’s Lok Sabha elections.
