Bhubaneswar: After a long wait, the Odisha government is now set to appoint chairpersons to various state-run corporations and boards by the end of this month.
Sharing this information on Thursday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said all routine formalities related to the appointments have been completed and the process is expected to be finalised before the end of July.
“The government has completed the necessary procedural work for the appointment of chairpersons to different state-run corporations and boards. The appointments will be completed by the end of this month,” he told reporters.
It may be noted that the state government is yet to appoint chairpersons to several corporations and boards though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed office in over two years ago following its victory in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Regarding possible expansion of the state Cabinet, Pujari said the decision on the matter rests solely with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi as it is his prerogative to decide the shape and composition of the ministry.
According to the constitutional provisions, the size of the Council of Ministers should not exceed 15 per cent of the total members of the Assembly, he said, adding that around 21 members can be accommodated in the Council of Ministers in the state.
“The Council of Ministers in the state has 16 members at present. At least five more members can be accommodated in the Council of Ministers. However, the Chief Minister has the prerogative to take a call in this regard,” the Minister said.
After the BJP formed its maiden government in Odisha in June 2024, Majhi constituted a 16-member ministry comprising himself, two Deputy Chief Ministers, eight Cabinet Ministers and six Ministers of State with independent charge.
Several ministers currently hold multiple portfolios, while the Chief Minister has retained key departments, including General Administration, Home, Finance, Water Resources, and Information and Public Relations.
