RD and PR to Nemcha, PHED to Dikho

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 8: Cabinet Ministers of the new Government led by Y Khemchand have been allotted their portfolios.
According to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel on March 4, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen will be in-charge of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department and Tribal Affairs & Hills Department while fellow Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho has been given PHED and Forest, Environment & Climate Change.
Cabinet Minister Govindas Konthoujam has been allotted Home and Youth Affairs & Sports.
Fellow Cabinet Minister Khuraijam Loken will be in-charge of the Art & Culture Department and Tourism Department.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand will hold all other portfolios which have not been allotted to the four Cabinet Ministers, said the notification issued by the Chief Secretary.
Notably, Manipur was brought under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. After almost one year, President’s Rule was lifted on February 4, 2026  and Y Khemchand was sworn in as the Chief Minister of a new Government on the same day.
Along with Y Khemchand, Losii Dikho and Nemcha Kipgen were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers. It was the first time in the political history of Manipur two Deputy Chief Ministers were sworn in. Moreover, Govindas Konthoujam and Khuraijam Loken were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers on the same day. Even though the CM and his Cabinet Ministers were sworn in on February 4, portfolios could not be distributed for one full month.
It was only on March 4 that the Cabinet Ministers were allotted their portfolios. As prescribed by the Constitution of India, the State Government should have 12 Cabinet Ministers including the Chief Minister.
As such, seven Ministerial berths still remain vacant.
Nonetheless, it is being speculated that the vacant Ministerial posts may be filled up after the State Assembly session which will be held from March 8 to 17.