MEGHALAYA: PORTFOLIOS ALLOCATED TO MINISTERS

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has distributed portfolios to 11 ministers of the NPP led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. Sangma kept finance, planning, personnel and some other departments to himself, besides those not allotted to others. The cabinet had sent the list of portfolios to Raj Bhavan and Governor Ganga Prasad approved it. Former Congress leaders who deserted the party ahead of the February 27 elections were rewarded.

Of them, Prestone Tynsong got roads, parliamentary affairs and labour, while Sniawbhalang Dhar was given transport, industries and community and rural development. Comingone Ymbon was awarded with buildings, government administration department and fisheries. National People's Party (NPP) MLA James K Sangma was given home, food and civil supplies and district council affairs. BJP's AL Hek was given health, arts and culture and Information and Public Relation, while UDP ministers Metbah Lyngdoh, Lahkmen Rymbui and Kyrmen Shylla were given tourism, border area development and social welfare respectively. Peoples Democratic Front ministers Banteidor Lyngdoh got agriculture, sports and youth affairs while his party colleague Hamlet Dohling was given urban affairs and information technology. Hills State People's Democratic Party minister Samlin Lyngdoh was given public health engineering and secretariat administration.

With a 60 member Assembly, Meghalaya can have 12 ministers including the chief minister.