Four new ministers sworn into Assam Cabinet; Kaushik Rai takes oath in Hindi, Krishnendu Paul in Bengali

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 7, 2024

In a significant development for the Assam cabinet, four new ministers – Prasanta Phukon, Rupesh Goala, Kaushik Rai, and Krishnendu Paul – took the oath of office at the Srimanta Sankardeva International Auditorium on Saturday. The ceremony was presided over by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In the state cabinet, two ministers from Barak Valley – Kaushik Rai and Krishnendu Paul – secured cabinet positions, marking a historic inclusion for the region.

Kaushik Rai (MLA from Lakhipur) took his oath in Hindi, amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”

Krishnendu Paul (MLA from Patharkandi) took his oath in Bengali, also receiving enthusiastic support from BJP workers and supporters.

Prasanta Phukon (MLA from Dibrugarh) and Rupesh Goala (MLA from Tinsukia) took their oaths in Assamese, reflecting the diverse linguistic and cultural ethos of the state.

Chief Minister Sarma announced that the portfolios would be allocated on Monday. He acknowledged that many ministers currently hold additional portfolios and stated that the inclusion of these four new members would allow for a more balanced and efficient allocation of responsibilities.

“This reshuffle will ensure a better distribution of work, reducing the burden on individual ministers. Even my own office will be restructured to accommodate these changes,” Sarma said.

The new ministers expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and pledged to fulfill their assigned duties with dedication. During interaction with the media, Kaushik Rai emphasized his readiness to work under Sarma’s leadership and to handle increased responsibilities effectively.

Krishnendu Paul described his oath-taking as a blessing from Maa Kamakhya and vowed to work with devotion. Prasanta Phukon, who had awaited this opportunity for a long time, expressed deep emotion and satisfaction in finally joining the cabinet. Rupesh Goala extended his thanks to the BJP leadership, the people, and the Chief Minister, reiterating his commitment to serve the public diligently.

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Rai, Paul, and Goala visited the Maa Kamakhya Temple, seeking blessings for their new responsibilities. The ceremony witnessed enthusiastic participation from BJP workers and supporters, particularly from the Barak Valley, who traveled to Guwahati to celebrate the occasion.

Sarma hinted at significant changes in ministerial offices and a possible reshuffle of administrative responsibilities to accommodate the new cabinet members, streamlining governance and reducing workload across departments.

With this inclusion, the strength of the council of ministers has gone up to 19 ministers, including the Chief Minister. The Assam Council of Ministers can accommodate up to 20 members as per constitutional provisions. One position remains unfilled, leaving room for future expansion or strategic appointments.