Ministers take charge, shake up offices

Pramila to work on 'ideas' to tackle rhino poaching, Ranjit Dutta warns officials against graft

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 26: The deserted chambers and quiet corridors of the State secretariat suddenly came to life today as four ministers of the new-BJP-led alliance government took charge.

Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma, who reviewed the works of the department, said she will seek suggestions from the public and various stakeholders to check the mece of rhino poaching.

“We promised during the election campaign that we will stop it. I have some ideas… we will also seek suggestions from the people. But if militants are involved, the Forest department alone can’t handle it. The Home department will also have to act,” she said. She also expressed concern at the depletion of elephant habitats which is giving rise to man-animal conflicts, saying that the thrust will be on restoring the state’s green cover.

The BPF legislator also said that encroached forest lands will be cleared and the settlers given rehabilitation packages.

Brahma, who also holds the WPT&BC portfolio, said the 23 development boards under this department will be abolished as they were formed to “rehabilitate politicians.”

Another cabinet minister Ranjit Dutta visited the directorate of Handloom & Textiles and told the officers and employees to ensure that the schemes are implemented in right earnest.

“I have also laid thrust on making the department corruption-free. The people wanted a change, so we must also change. I won’t be using a red-beacon vehicle,” he said.

PHE minister Rihan Daimary and PWD minister Parimal Suklabaidya also assumed office today.

Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal is functioning from the Brahmaputra Guest House. Two bungalows are being readied for him at the secretariat campus.