The path for cabinet expansion has finally been cleared, and the oath of the ministers of the Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, will take place on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Raj Bhawan, Shimla.
Governor Rajinder Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the new ministers.
It is the first time in the history of the state that the cabinet expansion is taking place after almost 27 days.
The delay is said to have taken place owing to the deliberations with the party high command as there were many aspirants and also in order to give representation to MLAs keeping in view the factions in the party, region, caste
As the cabinet expansion cannot exceed 12 in Himachal Pradesh, including the chief minister and his deputy, Sukhu had sent a list of 10 names of MLAs for the cabinet berth.
Earlier on Saturday, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that a list of 10 people has been submitted to the party’s high command and the Himachal Pradesh Government will be implementing the Old Pension Scheme in the state soon after the first cabinet meeting.
In the November 12 Assembly elections manifesto, Congress had promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme, if voted to power.
The CM arrived in Shimla from Delhi, on Saturday evening, after meeting the party’s high command.
“The meetings were personal. The Cabinet expansion is also my prerogative and I handed over the list of ten MLAs to the high command. As soon as the approval comes through, we will roll the ball to expand the Cabinet,” the CM said, speaking to reporters.
Sukhu had further informed that he would visit Mumbai on Sunday.
“I am going to Mumbai tomorrow and have another scheduled event in Pune. We hope to get the high command’s nod for the Cabinet expansion soon. As soon as I receive the approved list of candidates, I will effect the Cabinet expansion. We are in the government to change the system, not for power,” Sukhu said.