Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya appointed senior BJP leader Chandra Mohan Patowary as the Pro-tem Speaker of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly. The oath-taking ceremony took place at Lok Bhavan in Guwahati under the provisions of the Indian Constitution.
Patowary will oversee the initial sessions of the new Assembly and administer oaths to the newly elected members before the full-time Speaker is elected. The assembly session is scheduled from May 21 to May 26, with the budget session planned for the first week of July.
Governor Acharya also approved the portfolio allocation to new Council of Ministers members in the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government. Notably, Rameswar Teli has been assigned Transformation and Development, Labour Welfare, and Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare departments.
Atul Bora from the Asom Gana Parishad has been given Panchayat and Rural Development, Implementation of Assam Accord, Border Protection and Development, and Excise departments. Charan Boro of the Bodoland People Front will handle the Transport department and Welfare of Bodoland.
Ajanta Neog, a senior BJP leader, will be responsible for Women and Child Development and Tourism departments. The cabinet expansion is set for the first week of June, as announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
