Kaushik Rai Gets Urban Affairs, Krishnendu Paul Gets Barak Development: Himanta 2.0

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced the portfolios of the newly inducted cabinet ministers in the state government. Among the ministers from Barak Valley, Kaushik Rai has been assigned Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Cooperation, while Krishnendu Paul has been given charge of Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas, and Barak Valley Development.

The allocation gives both Barak Valley ministers important responsibilities in the state government. Kaushik Rai, who has also been appointed Guardian Minister for Sribhumi and Hailakandi, will oversee departments related to food distribution, urban affairs and cooperative institutions.

Krishnendu Paul has been entrusted with Public Health Engineering, Hill Areas and Barak Valley Development. The minister, who has been appointed Guardian Minister for Cachar and Dima Hasao, will be responsible for departments linked to drinking water projects, hill area administration and development initiatives in Barak Valley.

Apart from the Barak Valley ministers, Ashwini Ray Sarkar has been assigned Social Justice and Empowerment, Soil Conservation, and Welfare of Minorities and Development. Ashok Singhal has been given Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research. Bimal Borah has been entrusted with Cultural Affairs, Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises, and Act East Policy Affairs. Biswajit Daimary has been assigned Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture, Sports and Youth Welfare, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, and Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture.

Jayanta Mallabaruah has been given Finance, Environment and Forest, and Mines and Minerals. Keshab Mahanta has been assigned Revenue and Disaster Management, Science, Technology and Climate Change, and General Administration. Nilima Devi has been entrusted with Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and Fishery. Pijush Hazarika has been given Agriculture, Irrigation and Parliamentary Affairs. Ranoj Pegu has been assigned School Education, Higher Education, Tribal Affairs (Plain), and Information Technology, while Susanta Borgohain has been entrusted with Water Resources and Judicial.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has retained Home and Political, Power, Public Works Department (Buildings and National Highways), Public Works Department (Roads), Information and Public Relations, Printing and Stationery, besides any department not allotted to any other minister.

The portfolio allocation comes a day after the Chief Minister announced the allocation of Guardian Districts to ministers across Assam.