Shillong: In a surprise reshuffle of portfolios, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took away power portfolio from his elder brother, James Sangma and allotted to Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong.
However, in exchange, the health and family welfare department, and the food and civil supplies department held by Tynsong were given to James.
Apart from Health and Family Welfare department and Food and Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs, James is also looking after Forests and Environment, Information and Public Relations, Law, Taxation, Registration and Stamps departments.
Tynsong will now handle the Power portfolio, besides Housing, Public Works Department (Roads) and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Chief Minister relieved the Power portfolio from James after alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) including implementation of Saubhagya Scheme and Smart Meters.
The State Government has instituted a judicial inquiry headed by Justice (Retired) R.N.Mishra of the Allahabad High Court to probe into the alleged corruption in the State-owned MeECL.
In this reshuffle, the Chief Minister has allotted more plump portfolios to his two ministers, Sniawbhalang Dhar and his nephew Dasakhiatbha Lamare.
Dhar now got three more new portfolios – Tourism, General Administration Department and Fisheries, apart from Urban Affairs, Municipal Administration, and Commerce and Industries departments.
Tourism was earlier look after by Chief Minister.
Dhar’s nephew Dasakhaitbha Lamare, who earlier held the General Administration Department and Fisheries department, will now look after Transport department which was held by Dhar earlier, besides the Public Works Department (Buildings).
