SHILLONG, March 8: The notification on allocation of portfolios is likely to be issued by Thursday evening even though it was expected that it would be out on Wednesday.
“But it could not be issued due to holiday for government offices in view of Holi. The notification is likely to be issued by Thursday evening,” official sources said.
However, speculations are running rife about the portfolios to be allotted to various ministers.
Unconfirmed sources revealed that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is likely to keep Finance, Planning, Mining and Geology departments to himself.
The two Deputy CMs — Prestone Tynsong may get PWD (Roads) and Home (Police), while Sniawbhalang Dhar is likely to get Urban Affairs department, Industries and Transport.
UDP nominee Paul Lyngdoh may get Social Welfare and Tourism, while it may be Excise for his party colleague, Kyrmen Shylla.
The NPP MLA from Raliang, Comingone Ymbon is likely to get Food and Civil Supplies, Forest and Environment and PWD (Buildings), while former Assembly Speaker, Abu Taher Mondal is likely to get Education and Power.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, however, revealed that she has been allotted Health and Family Welfare besides Agriculture, Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and Law departments.
When contacted, Lyngdoh said that she is looking forward to the responsibilities and assignment given to her.
“I will give my level best and I hope I will be able to do justice,” Lyngdoh said.
She however said that this will be the first time she will be holding charge of Health and Agriculture department.
“My area of focus will be to address issue of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR),” the lone women Cabinet minister said.
Asserting that she will focus on improving treatment facilities for cancer patients, Lyngdoh said that the number of cancer patients is on the rise which is an area of major concern.
Meanwhile, she recalled that there were considerations for providing pension benefits and housing facilities for journalists in the state when she was the IPR Minister earlier.
“I will make an effort if these two agendas can fructify for the interest and welfare of the journalists in the state,” Lyngdoh said.
