Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma Assigns Portfolios To 13 Ministers

Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Assam on Monday

New Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assigned portfolios to his cabinet on Tuesday, a day after he was sworn in. Mr Sarma retained PWD from the last term, and also took on Home, Personnel and "other departments not allotted to any other minister of his cabinet." Mr Sarma has given away the Finance, Health and Education posts, which he held in the last government, to Ajanta Neog (a former Congress colleague), Keshab Mahanta (from ally Asom Gana Parishad) and Ranuj Pegu (a first-time minister), respectively. In addition to Finance, Ms Neog will also handle Social Welfare. Mr Mahanta has also been given the Science and Information & Technology berths. Mr Pegu has been given additional charge of welfare of tribes and backward classes in the non-Bodoland Territorial Region. From last year's cabinet, AGP president Atul Bora has retained Agriculture and Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, while also getting Border Area Development and Implementation of Assam Accord, and Cooperation.