Mukul holds on to 18 portfolios

SHILLONG: After two reshuffling in the Congress-led MUA-II government since its formation in 2013, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is holding as many as 18 portfolios out of the 50 government departments.
While last August, the chief minister had axed Rowell Lyngdoh and AL Hek, two more ministers, Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar were dropped earlier this month.
However, in the reshuffling, chief minister has benefitted the most since he held on to the major portfolios.
The portfolios being held by the chief minister include Agriculture, Administrative Reforms, Border Areas Development, Cabinet Affairs, Commerce and Industries, District Councils, Finance, Fisheries, General Administration Department, Home (Jails), Legal Metrology, Mining and Geology, Personnel, Planning, Political, Programme Implementation and Evaluation, Tourism and Water Resources.
While Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo is holding six departments, the least number of portfolios is held by the new entrant Celestine Lyngdoh with two (PHE and Printing and Stationery).
 Other cabinet ministers hold portfolios ranging from four to three.
However, critics pointed out that even if the Cabinet ministers hold important departments, the chief minister has direct control over these portfolios which indicate that there is hardly any decentralisation of powers.
There is also criticism from various quarters that major decisions are taken by the chief minister while the Cabinet meetings are just a formality.
Official sources, however, pointed out that inefficiency of some ministers may be the reason that the chief minister is holding on to so many departments.