Assam gets first woman finance minister; Covid top agenda in maiden cabinet meet

A day after being sworn in as the chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed portfolios to his cabinet ministers. At the first cabinet meet of the new Assam government, Covid-19 remained the top priority.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday distributed portfolios to 13 members of his cabinet, a day after the new council of ministers were sworn in. With Ajanta Neog taking charge of the finance department, the state got its first woman finance minister. The new council of ministers comprises 11 ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including the chief minister, two from alliance partner the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and one from the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL).