Guwahati, Dec 10: In a significant political move, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a major cabinet reshuffle on Monday, following the induction of four new ministers and the exclusion of one. The reshuffle saw changes to several key portfolios aimed at streamlining governance and boosting administrative efficiency.
Sarma himself will retain control of critical departments, including Home (except Prisons), Personnel, PWD (Buildings) and National Highways (except for GAD buildings assigned to Nandita Gorlosa), PWD (Roads), Medical Education and Research (except PMABY and areas assigned to Prashanta Phukon), and any other department not specifically allocated to other ministers.
Key Changes in Portfolios
- Ashok Singhal: Relieved of the Urban and Housing Affairs Department, which was handed over to Jayanta Mallabaruah. Singhal was assigned the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, while retaining charge of the Irrigation Department.
- Jayanta Mallabaruah: Stripped of the Tourism Department, which was allocated to Ranjeet Kumar Dass. However, he gained additional responsibilities for Housing and Urban Affairs along with his existing charge of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).
- Ranjeet Kumar Dass: Apart from Tourism, Dass was also allotted the Panchayat and Rural Development, Judiciary, and General Administration Department (GAD).
- Atul Bora: Relieved of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary portfolio, which was assigned to newly inducted Krishnendu Paul. Bora, however, was allocated the Excise Department in addition to his existing responsibilities for Agriculture, Horticulture, Border Protection and Development, and Assam Accord Implementation.
- Keshab Mahanta: Lost control of the Transport Department, which was handed to Jogen Mohan. Mahanta was instead allocated the Revenue and Disaster Management, Information Technology, and Science and Technology portfolios.
- Jogen Mohan: Gained charge of Transport and Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture in addition to his existing responsibility for the Hill Areas Department.
- Nandita Gorlosa: Relieved of the Power Department, which was assigned to newly inducted minister Prashanta Phukon. Gorlosa, however, was given charge of the Sports and Youth Welfare, Welfare of Minorities, and PWD (Building) and NH departments.
- Prashanta Phukon: As a newly inducted minister, Phukon was given charge of the Power Department as well as Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and a portion of the Medical Education and Research portfolio (PMABY and subjects delegated by the Chief Minister).
- Kaushik Rai: Another new inductee, Rai was assigned the Food, Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, Mines and Minerals, and Barak Valley Development portfolios.
- Krishnendu Paul: In his new role, Paul was given charge of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Fisheries, and Public Works Roads (including PMGSY and related responsibilities).
- Rupesh Gowala: The fourth newly inducted minister, Gowala, was assigned the Labour Welfare, Tea Tribe and Adivasi Welfare, and Home (Prison) portfolios.
Portfolios with No Change
The portfolios of Urkhao Gwra Brahma, Ranoj Pegu, Ajanta Neog, and Bimal Bora remain unchanged.
The reshuffle reflects a strategic reallocation of responsibilities ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections, with a focus on balancing regional, caste, and political considerations.
