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Meghalaya : Lapang inducts woman as his deputy |
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Meghalaya got its first woman deputy chief minister in Debora Marak during a minor cabinet change that came about after D.D. Lapang decided to “accept” scam-tainted Beckstar Sangma’s resignation and replace him with Zenith Sangma, younger brother of his previous deputy, Mukul Sangma.
Marak, who represents Williamnagar constituency in the East Garo Hills, has been holding the mining and geology minister and is the lone woman in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.
The other major development of the day was Zenith Sangma, MLA from Rangsakona constituency, being inducted into the cabinet. Governor M.M. Jacob administered the oath of office to the newest member of the government.
Community and Rural Development Minister Beckstar Sangma, whom he replaced, resigned after being accused of swindling central funds meant for rural housing and community development in the Garo hills.
Pressure had mounted on the tainted politician to quit after Lok Sabha member Purno A. Sangma launched a crusade against corruption in the Garo hills. Zenith Sangma’s entry into the cabinet in his place took many in the Congress by surprise because some veterans were angling for the slot.
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