Sarma said, “I extend my best wishes to all my colleagues in the Council of Ministers. I am confident that, working together with dedication and commitment, we will continue to serve the people of Assam and further accelerate the journey of progress and prosperity of our State.”
According to the announcement, Sarma will hold the Home & Political department, along with PWD (Buildings & National Highways), PWD (Roads), Power, and Information, Public Relations, Printing & Stationery.
He will additionally oversee any department not allotted to any other minister. Jayanta Mallabaruah has been given Finance, Environment & Forest, and Mines & Minerals.
Ashok Singhal is allotted Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research, while Ranoj Pegu retains School and Higher Education. He is given additional department of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Information Technology.
Krishnendu Paul’s portfolio includes Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas and Barak Valley Development. Pijush Hazarika will be in charge of Agriculture, Irrigation and Parliamentary Affairs, while Keshab Mahanta is given Revenue and Disaster Management, Science, Technology & Climate Change and General Administration.
Bimal Borah retains his portfolio of Cultural Affairs, Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprises and additionally he entrusted with Act East Policy Affairs, Biswajit Daimary is given Handloom, Textiles & Sericulture, Sports & Youth Welfare, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, and Indigenous & Tribal Faith & Culture, while Kaushik Rai is entrusted with Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs, Housing & Urban Affairs and Cooperation.Ashwini Ray Sarkar is tasked with the department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Soil Conservation and Welfare of Minorities & Development.
Nilima Devi will look after Animal Husbandry & Veterinary and Fishery. Susanta Borgohain is given Water Resources and Judicial.
On June 5, 12 ministers took oath of office in Assam. With this the strength of the council of ministers in Assam stood at 16.
The council of ministers has four new faces. BJP has come back to power for the third consecutive term in Assam. The chief minister along with four other ministers took oath on May 12, expansion of the council of ministers was delayed.
From 60 seats in 2021, the BJP this time won 82 in the 126-member assembly. NDA together won 102 seats. Both AGP and BPF won 10 seats each. The size of the council of ministers including the chief minister is 18.
