Lapang allocates portfolios to 7 ministers

Shillong, Mar 13: Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang, heading the Congress-led minority Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) government, has distributed portfolios to seven of his ministers.

The portfolios, which were distributed yesterday, have been given to six Cabinet members and two Ministers of State. Mr Lapang was sworn in on March 10 while his seven ministers were inducted yesterday. The MUA comprises the Congress with 25 seats and three independents. The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party with 25 seats in the 60-member Assembly, got the maximum number of 14 Cabinet portfolios, while six others were made Ministers of State.

Important portfolios, including finance, home, revenue, industries and PWD were retained by the party.

Of the three independent MLAs, A T Mondal was given a Cabinet rank while Limison A Sangma and Ismail R Marak were made Ministers of State.

The Chief Minister retained the Cabinet Affairs, Political, Personnel, Planning, Finance, Tourism and Law departments with himself.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma will take charge of Finance, Power, Agriculture and Horticulture departments.

Former Assembly Speaker Martin M Danggo, who was elevated to the post of Cabinet Minister, was allotted Food and Civil Supplies, Forest and Environment, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary departments.

Prestone Tynsong will look after PWD (Roads), GAD and Border Area Development and Dr R C Laloo was given charge of Higher Technical Education, Elementary and Mass Education, IPR and Parliamentary Affairs.

Mr Mondal has been given the Health and Family Welfare, SAD and Civil Defence and Home Guards portfolios.

Minister of State Ismail R Marak was given independent charge of Transport, Home (Passport) and assisting the Education Minister while Limison A Sangma was given independent charge of Excise, Sports and Youth Affairs and assisting the PWD (Roads) Minister.

UNI