Imphal: Following Th Shyamkumar’s recent resignation from the Manipur state Cabinet, chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday took charge of horticulture and soil conservation, in addition to his existing portfolios.
The announcement of portfolio reallocation was made by governor Najma Heptulla.
After the Supreme Court pronounced judgment over the disqualification case against Shyamkumar, the N Biren Singh-led BJP coalition government was left with no further option but to reallocate portfolios for smooth functioning of the government.
In the latest reallocation of portfolios, deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh also took charge of MAHUD, forest, environment & climate change along with science & technology and economics & statistics.
Shyamkumar, a former MLA of Andro assembly constituency, was the minister of forest, horticulture, soil conservation and the department of municipal administration, housing & urban development (MAHUD) in the BJP-ruled state government.
On March 18, the apex court had ordered the removal of Shyamkumar from the post of minister and barred him from entering the state Assembly.
The top court’s judgment was in response to a miscellaneous application filed by Congress MLA Krishna Meghachandra Singh and Fajur Rahim over Shyamkumar’s disqualification under 10th Schedule of the Constitution of India after his unceremonious exit from the party.
On March 28, state Legislative Assembly speaker Y Khemchand Singh disqualified Shymakumar from its membership under grounds of defection. In 2017, Shyamkumar joined BJP after he got elected from Andro constituency on a Congress ticket.
