M’laya CM allocates portfolios to ministers after reshuffle

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday distributed portfolios to the newly the eight sworn-in ministers and and kept Cabinet Affairs, Finance and any portfolios not allotted to any other ministers.
The allocation of portfolios came a day after the Chief Minister effected a major cabinet reshuffle, replacing eight ministers with new appointees in the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong retained his key portfolios Home (Police), Public Works (Roads and Buildings), District Council Affairs, and Parliamentary Affairs.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, will oversee the Urban Affairs, Transport, Commerce and Industries, and Prisons and Correctional Services departments. Senior NPP minister Marcuise N. Marak continues to hold charge of Public Health Engineering, Housing, and Soil and Water Conservation.
Veteran NPP legislator Timothy Dalbot Shira, who was inducted as minister for the second time on Tuesday after quitting as Deputy Speaker on September 8, has been entrusted with the Tourism, Agriculture, and Fisheries.
The Chief Minister assigned the department of Health and Family Welfare, Sports and Youth Affairs, besides and Home (Passport) to Wailadmiki Shylla, while Sosthenes Sohtun has been entrusted with Community and Rural Development, Secretariat Administration, and General Administration.
Brening A. Sangma, a former Congress minister, was tasked with Border Area Development, Excise, and Home (Civil Defence and Home Guards).
Shylla, Sohtun and Brenning are NPP MLAs.
United Democratic Party (UDP) President, Metbah Lyngdoh, who was also inducted as a Cabinet minister along with his party colleague Lahkmen Rymbui, will handle the Power portfolio besides Water Resources, Taxation, and Textiles. While Rymbui will oversee the department of Education, Revenue and Disaster Management, Information and Public Relations, and Law.
Senior BJP legislator and cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai will oversee Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Printing and Stationery, Arts and Culture and Legal Metrology.
Hill State People’s Democratic Party minister Methodius Dkhar has been allotted Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Labour Employment and Skill, and Registration and Stamps.
Chief Minister Sangma had said that the cabinet reshuffle provides an opportunity to reset and strengthen governance as the council of ministers prepare for the next phase of administrative priorities. He expressed confidence that the new ministers would contribute positively.
Meghalaya assembly polls are due in 2028.