Cabinet Expansion in Assam Anticipated on December 7, Awaiting Central Approval
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Guwahati, December 5 (NationPress) The administration of Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam is poised to enlarge its cabinet on Saturday, while awaiting assent from the central leadership.
A senior leader from the BJP indicated that Chief Minister Sarma plans to engage with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J. P. Nadda during the oath-taking ceremony for the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government in Mumbai on Thursday evening.
CM Sarma noted that he has already forwarded a list of his preferred ministers to the BJP's central leadership, and their approval is now awaited.
The cabinet currently has four vacant positions: three have been unfilled since Sarma assumed the role of Chief Minister, and one vacancy arose after former minister Parimal Suklabaidya secured a seat in this year's Lok Sabha elections.
Simultaneously, CM Sarma has indicated that the upcoming expansion will be modest, with little likelihood of any current ministers being replaced.
The Chief Minister was in the national capital for the past few days and convened a cabinet meeting virtually on Wednesday evening to address a significant decision regarding the prohibition of beef consumption in Assam.
CM Sarma stated, "We previously enforced a ban on beef consumption within a one-kilometer radius of temples and other places of worship. However, we have now decided to broaden this restriction to impose a complete ban on beef consumption in public areas in Assam effective immediately."
"This prohibition also extends to serving beef in hotels, restaurants, and at any community festivals statewide. Offenders will face penalties as stipulated by law," he added.
Moreover, the Chief Minister criticized the Congress party, remarking, "Some leaders within Congress, including the state president, have advocated for a beef consumption ban in the state. We already had stringent regulations in place; nevertheless, the topic was extensively debated in today's cabinet meeting, resulting in a total prohibition on beef consumption in public throughout the state."
