Manipur's Chief Minister Allocates Portfolios to Council of Ministers

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday allocated portfolios to his newly appointed council of ministers, taking personal charge of eight departments in addition to retaining responsibility for those not specifically assigned. The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla , acting on the advice of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand, allocated the portfolios to the state’s ministers in accordance with Rule 6(1) of the Rules of Business of the Government of Manipur. To this effect, the Secretariat of the Government of Manipur issued an official notification on Wednesday. The BJP-led government in Manipur, headed by Chief Minister Y. Khemchand, came to power on February 4, with the installation of two Deputy Chief Ministers, one each from the Naga and Kuki communities . Additionally, two ministers belonging to the Meitei community took the oath of office and secrecy as cabinet ministers. Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, a BJP MLA and leader from the Kuki community, was assigned the Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs & Hills portfolios. Losii Dikho, another Deputy Chief Minister from the Naga community and a leader of the NPF, was allocated Public Health Engineering and Forests, Environment & Climate Change. Konthoujam Govindas Singh, a veteran politician and BJP MLA elected from the Bishnupur assembly constituency, was allocated Home and Youth Affairs & Sports. Khuraijam Loken Singh, MLA elected from the Wangoi assembly segment, was assigned the Arts & Culture and Tourism departments. As per the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, the council of ministers cannot exceed 15 per cent of the strength of the respective Legislative Assembly. In the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly, there are currently 58 sitting MLAs, following the demise of National People’s Party MLA N. Kayisii and BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte. The portfolio allocations came about a week after the Manipur Chief Minister and Governor met central leaders, including the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, in Delhi.