After much dilly-dallying and hectic parleys with legal experts, Nagaland Chief Minister Neihpiu Rio finally appointed 20 legislators as advisors to various state government departments on Thursday.
They include Noke Wangnao from Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) who has been appointed as advisor in the departments of Social Welfare and Home Guards & Civil Defence.
Phowang Konyak of NDPP has been appointed as advisor in the departments of Fire & Emergency Services, SIRD and Relief & Rehabilitation.
Phukayi of NDPP has been given Food & Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection and Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority.
Dr Nicky Kire of NDPP has been given Rural Development.
R Khing of NDPP has been appointed as advisor in the departments of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Women Resources.
Mmhonlumo Kikon of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been given IT, Science and Technology and New & Renewable Energy.
Tovihoto Ayemi of BJP has been appointed as advisor in the department of Power.
Dr Longriniken of BJP has been given Law & Justice, Border Affairs and Treasuries & Accounts
Imtikumzuk of NDPP has been given Sericulture and Excise
Namri Nchang of NDPP has been given Irrigation and Flood control.
L Khumo of National People’s Party (NPP) has been given Fisheries, Evaluation and Economics & Statistics.
K T Sukhalu of NDPP has been given school education.
Toshi Wungtung of NDPP has been given I&PR, SCERT and Village Guards.
Kazheto Kinimi of BJP has been given Skill Development, Labour & Employment and Civil Administrative Works Division.
Mhathung Yanthan of NDPP has been appointed as advisor to the Department of Horticulture.
H Khehovi Yepthomi of BJP has been given Tourism and Art & Culture departments.
Bongkhao of NDPP has been made advisor of the Department for Development of Underdeveloped Areas.
H Haiying of BJP has been given Prisons and Printing & Stationery departments.
Imnatiba of NPP has been given Industries &Commerce and Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Limited (NIDC).
Er Zhale Neikha of NDPP has been given the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Notably, even though all the PDA alliance MLAs have been accommodated, one NDPP legislator, Zhaleo Rio, has been surprisingly ignored.