Cabinet expansion awaiting high-command's nod; Sundar Thakur to take oath as minister: Himachal CM

SHIMLA, Aug 11:  A Cabinet expansion and reshuffling in Himachal Pradesh is awaiting final nod from the Congress high command, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday.

Interacting with the media after flagging off quick-response firefighting vehicles here, Sukhu also said that Congress MLA from Kullu, Sundar Singh Thakur, could take oath before or after a meeting of the party's political affairs committee scheduled to be held soon.

"A Cabinet expansion is imminent and will proceed once the high command approves it. MLA Sundar Singh Thakur is likely to become a minister, and could take the oath of office at any time," Sukhu said.

He added that while a meeting of the Himachal Congress PAC is scheduled in the near future, Thakur might take oath even before the meeting takes place.

He also said that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is likely to visit Shimla on August 14.

There are 11 ministers, including the chief minister, in the state Cabinet with one seat remaining vacant even after three-and-a-half years of government formation.

On the market intervention scheme (MIS) for apples, Sukhu said there is no cap on the quantity of the fruit procured under the scheme.

He clarified that no limit of 100 bags has been set, saying the government will procure whatever quantity of apples is available.

He also said that any clerical errors in the notices issued on the matter would be rectified.

Referring to the notices issued to horticulturists last year, he said the officials would be directed to halt them.

The chief minister also took a dig at the BJP over the delay in electing the chairperson of the Shimla Zila Parishad, saying the opposition members did not turn up when the polling date was first announced.

Describing the panchayat elections as grassroots polls, he said there is no need to get deeply involved in them, which the BJP has done.

Sukhu also asked the BJP leaders to take up the matter of Rs 1,500 crore disaster relief announced by the prime minister before the Assembly session begins on August 21.

The chief minister also said he would personally write to the prime minister demanding the release of Rs 1,500 crore as disaster relief.

"The state has outstanding liabilities towards its employees, and receiving aid from the Centre would facilitate their settlements," he said. (PTI)