Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Oct 25 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy to legislators being inducted into the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, October 27, at Lok Bhavan Auditorium in Srinagar.
Sources privy to the developments told news agency JKNS that the cabinet expansion is officially scheduled for Tuesday, with the swearing-in ceremony set to begin at 10:30 AM.
LG Sinha has extended invitations to guests to attend the oath-taking ceremony, confirming the date, time and venue of the event, sources said.
The cabinet expansion in the Omar Abdullah-led government will involve the induction of new members into the Council of Ministers, while changes in portfolios are also expected as part of the exercise.
Political attention is focused on regional representation, with areas including Ramban, Poonch, Anantnag, Central Kashmir and North Kashmir figuring in discussions surrounding the ministerial changes. The final list of incoming ministers and the allocation of portfolios are awaited.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier said that the list of ministers had been finalised following consultations with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
The expansion is expected to bring changes to the composition of the existing Council of Ministers, with the swearing-in ceremony set to formally induct the new members.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers can comprise a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister, given the 90-member elected Legislative Assembly. (JKNS)
