The distribution of portfolios to the three new ministers has been done on expected line and there were not many surprises. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb who was burdened with too many departments has divested some of the portfolios to the new ministers—most important being the Information and Cultural Affairs, considered one of the most important wings of the government being given to Sushanta Chowdhury.
According to the official notification, Ram Prasad Paul has been given the portfolio of Home (Jail, Fire Service and Emergency), OBC Welfare, Minorities Welfare and Cooperation).
Sushanta Chowdhury, one of the youngest members of the state cabinet, has been given apart from ICA also PWD (DWS) and Youth Affairs and Sports.
Bhagaban Das, who secured his cabinet berth from Unakoti district, has been entrusted with the portfolios of Animal Resources Development, Labour and as expected SC Welfare departments.
Meanwhile, some changes have been made in the portfolios of some of the existing ministers. Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Verma has been given the Planning and Cooperation (including statistics) department in addition to Finance, Power, Rural Development (including Panchayat) and Science, Technology and Environment.
IPFT minister N.C. Debbarma has been relieved from the Fisheries department. Now, he has been given the portfolio of the Forest department, in addition to the Revenue department.
Ratanlal Nath will continue to hold the portfolios of Education (Higher), Education (School) and Law (including PA) departments.
There is no change in the portfolios of Pranajit Singha Roy also. He will continue to look after Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Tourism and Transport departments.
Manoj Kanti Deb has been given an important portfolio- Industries and Commerce (excluding Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture and IT) apart from the existing portfolio of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department. However, he has been relieved from the Youth Affairs and Sports department.
Mevar Kumar Jamatia will now hold the portfolio of Industries and Commerce (Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture) and Fisheries in addition to Tribal Welfare. He has been relieved from the Forest department.
A significant change came in the portfolios of Santana Chakma. She has now been given the Urban Development department along with the existing Social Welfare and Social Education department. She has been relieved from the charge of the Animal Resources Development department.
Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb kept Home (excluding Fire Service and Emergency Services and Jail), Health and Family Welfare, PWD (excluding DWS), Industries and Commerce (IT), General Administration and Election departments with him. Besides, he will also look after all policies and any other departments which are not allocated to any minister.
