By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Despite retaining the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, Rowell Lyngdoh has nothing much to cheer as he was only given charge of minor departments like Water Resources, Soil and Water Conservation, Home (Passport), Administrative Reforms, Law and Election.
The distribution of portfolios, which were announced on Tuesday night, has come as a setback for HDR Lyngdoh who was stripped off plum portfolios like the PWD and Home which he was holding in the previous MUA Government.
Instead, Lyngdoh has now been handed over charge of Transport, General Administration Department (GAD), District Council Affairs (DCA) and Cooperation.
Meanwhile, Prof Roytre C Laloo is among the major gainers as he has been given charge of the PHE, Education (School Education and Literacy and Higher and Technical Education) and Revenue and Disaster Management, besides Reorganisation.
Meanwhile, AL Hek is another major gainer, being awarded with Health and Family Welfare, Information Technology, Information and Public Relations and Registration and Stamps.
Roshan Warjri’s appointment as the first-ever Meghalaya Home Minister (in charge of Police, Jail) is the biggest development in the MUA-II Cabinet. Warjri has also been awarded charge of PWD (Buildings).
Prestone Tynsong also gained as he was allotted Community and Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs, besides getting charge of Forest and Environment and Border Areas Development (BAD) – posts which he had held in the previous MUA Government.
Ampareen Lyngdoh also retained her portfolios including Urban Affairs and Municipal Administration, besides being given additional charge of Labour.
Deborah C Marak, who also made a comeback to the House, has been allotted Social Welfare, Animal Husbandry and veterinary, Printing and Stationery and Secretariat Administration Department. Chief Minister’s youngest brother, Zenith M Sangma, has been given charge of Sports and Youth Affairs, Housing, Excise and Sericulture and Weaving departments.
New entrant to the Assembly, Sniawbhalang Dhar, has given charge of PWD (Roads) and Civil Defense & Home Guards and Legal Metrology.
Another new face in the House, Clement Marak, has been allotted with Power, Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Arts and Culture.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma will hold charge of important departments like Mining, Tourism, Commerce and Industries, Tourism Planning, Finance, Personnel and other portfolios not allotted to any other ministers.