New portfolios announced in Jammu and Kashmir cabinet

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Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has allocated portfolios to the newly inducted ministers in Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet. The reshuffle, announced in an official order dated October 17, comes as part of the ongoing governance restructuring in the Union Territory.

“In pursuance of Rule 4 (2) of the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019, I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, do hereby assign to the charge of the Ministers the Government Business as shown in Annexure,” read the order from the Lieutenant Governor Secretariat.

Key appointments in the new cabinet

According to the new allocation, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has been given the responsibility for several crucial portfolios, including Public Works (R&B), Industries & Commerce, Mining, Labour & Employment, and Skill Development. This wide range of responsibilities underscores the significance of Choudhary’s role in the region’s economic and infrastructure development.

Health and Medical Education, along with School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare, have been assigned to Sakeena Masood Itoo, marking her as a key player in the social welfare and public health sectors.

Meanwhile, Javed Ahmed Rana will oversee Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, reflecting the government’s focus on environmental conservation and water resource management. Javid Ahmad Dar has been tasked with Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative, and Election, all of which are pivotal for rural and agricultural development in the region.

Satish Sharma, another influential figure, has been appointed to manage portfolios including Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and ARI & Training. These areas play a significant role in enhancing public services and technology integration in the region’s governance.

The order further specified that “any other departments or subjects not allocated to any of the ministers shall remain with the Chief Minister,” ensuring that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah retains oversight of unallocated sectors.

A new political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir

This cabinet reshuffle comes on the heels of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, held after a ten-year gap. The NC-Congress alliance secured a strong foothold, with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) winning 42 seats, while the Congress managed to win six.

Omar Abdullah, having taken oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, chaired his inaugural cabinet meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. Abdullah previously served as the Chief Minister from 2009 to 2014, during which time his administration faced significant political and security challenges.

Despite the NC-Congress alliance’s victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made significant inroads in the region, winning 29 seats, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secured three. Other political players included the People’s Conference, CPI-M, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), each winning a single seat. Independent candidates also claimed seven seats.

The election, conducted in three phases, was the first held in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, a pivotal constitutional change that altered the region’s political landscape. The results, declared on October 8, showcased a more fragmented and competitive political environment.