GUWAHATI : The long-awaited expansion of Sarbananda Sonowal ministry in Assam has been effected on Thursday with induction of seven ministers including four cabinet ministers and three minister of state with independent charge.
It is the first expansion of the ministry since the BJP-led coalition government in Assam had assumed charge in May, 2016.
Governor of Assam, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-inducted ministers at the Dorbar Hall of Raj Bhavan here this morning.
The newly-inducted cabinet ministers included former state BJP president, Siddhartha Bhattacharrya, BJP MLA for Diphu in hill district of Karbi Anglong, Sumo Ronghang, senior MLA of the AGP (BJP’s ally) Phanibhusan Choudhury and senior MLA of the BJP’s ally Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), Chandan Brahma.
The new minister of state with independent charge are Pijush Hazarika (BJP), Tapan Gogoi (BJP) and Bhabesh Kalita (BJP). The portfolios of the new ministers are yet to be distributed.
With the induction of the new ministers the strength of the Sonowal minister has gone up to 18 members. (EoM)
