Guwahati, May 19 (IANS) Assam Minister Atul Bora has been given charge of the Parliamentary Affairs Department as an interim arrangement ahead of the first session of the newly constituted Assam Legislative Assembly, officials said on Tuesday.

The official stated that Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, on the advice of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, had entrusted Bora with the additional responsibility.

“The Governor of Assam, on the advice of the Chief Minister, is pleased to allow Shri Atul Bora, Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development, Implementation of Assam Accord, Border Protection and Development, and Excise departments, to also look after matters on the Parliamentary Affairs Department as an interim arrangement,” the official said.

Bora, president of the Asom Gana Parishad, is a key member of the second cabinet headed by Sarma and currently oversees several important portfolios, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Implementation of Assam Accord, Border Protection and Development, and Excise.

The move comes just ahead of the first sitting of the newly elected Assembly, which is scheduled to commence on Thursday.

The four-day session will continue till May 26 and is expected to witness key procedural business, including the oath-taking of newly elected legislators and the House’s election-related formalities.

Political observers view the interim arrangement as significant, given the Parliamentary Affairs Department’s crucial role in coordinating government business within the Assembly and ensuring the smooth functioning of legislative proceedings.

The cabinet headed by Sarma was recently expanded with the induction of four ministers, Rameswar Teli, Ajanta Neog, Charan Boro, and Atul Bora.

Chief Minister Sarma had earlier indicated that the cabinet expansion process would be completed after the Assembly session concluded.

Meanwhile, Assembly proceedings are also expected to focus on the recognition of the Leader of the Opposition in the new House, with the Speaker likely to decide during the session.

The upcoming sitting assumes significance as it will be the first Assembly session after the formation of the new government in the state.

–IANS

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