Sat Dec 07 07:18:31 UTC 2024: ## Assam Chief Minister Expands Cabinet with Four New Ministers

**Guwahati, Assam –** Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expanded his cabinet on Saturday, swearing in four new ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ceremony took place at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, with Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya administering the oaths to Prasanta Phookan, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul, and Rupesh Goala.

The new ministers represent a diverse range of constituencies, including Upper Assam’s tea districts and the Barak Valley. Phookan, a four-time MLA from Dibrugarh, and Goala, a first-time MLA from Doom Dooma, both represent tea-growing regions. Paul and Rai, also first-time MLAs, hail from the Barak Valley districts of Sribhumi and Cachar respectively. Goala’s appointment follows the resignation of Tea Welfare and Labour Minister Sanjay Kishan, who has been appointed Chairman of the Assam Food and Civil Supplies department. The expansion brings the total number of ministers in the 19-member council to 19. This follows the earlier resignation of Parimal Suklabaidya, who won a Lok Sabha seat.

Chief Minister Sarma expressed his enthusiasm on X (formerly Twitter), stating his eagerness to work with the new ministers to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “Viksit Assam” (Developed Assam). The newly appointed ministers thanked the Chief Minister and pledged to work for the state’s development. Portfolio assignments are expected to be announced shortly, and the new ministers will attend their first cabinet meeting later in the day. The current cabinet includes ministers from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United Peoples’ Party, Liberal (UPPL), reflecting the ruling NDA coalition’s 84 seats in the 126-member state assembly.

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