Imphal: The Manipur government on Wednesday announced the allocation of portfolios among members of the newly formed Council of Ministers, with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh retaining key responsibilities.
According to the notification, the chief minister will oversee eight departments and will also continue to handle subjects that have not been specifically assigned to any minister.
Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho have been entrusted with two departments each. Kipgen has been given charge of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, along with Tribal Affairs and Hills, while Dikho will head the Public Health Engineering and Forests, Environment and Climate Change departments.
Among other ministers, Konthoujam Govindas Singh has been allocated the Home and Youth Affairs and Sports portfolios, and Khuraijam Loken Singh will oversee the Arts and Culture as well as Tourism departments.
The distribution of portfolios follows the swearing-in ceremony held on February 4, when Khemchand Singh took oath as chief minister along with four MLAs inducted into the Council of Ministers.
According to a government notification issued by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, the portfolios were allocated by the governor, in pursuance of Rule 6(1) of the Rules of Business of the Manipur government, on the advice of the chief minister.
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Under the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, the size of the Council of Ministers in a state cannot exceed 15 per cent of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly.
In Manipur’s 60-member Assembly, there are currently 58 sitting MLAs following the demise of National People’s Party legislator N Kayisii and BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte.
