Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir has officially assigned portfolios to the newly appointed ministers in Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cabinet. The announcement was made in an order dated October 17, which outlined the distribution of responsibilities among the ministers, in accordance with the rules governing the Union Territory.

As per the order, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary will oversee several key departments, including Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Employment, and Skill Development. Sakeena Masood (Itoo) has been given the responsibilities for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare.

Javed Ahmed Rana will manage Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment, and Tribal Affairs. Javid Ahmad Dar will take charge of Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives, and Elections. Meanwhile, Satish Sharma will be responsible for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, and ARI and Training.

The order also noted that any departments or subjects not assigned to specific ministers will remain under the Chief Minister's control. This cabinet formation follows the recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

The assembly elections, held after a decade-long hiatus, resulted in a significant win for the National Conference-Congress alliance, with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference securing 42 seats and Congress obtaining six. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) performed strongly as well, winning 29 seats, while the People’s Democratic Party managed three. Other parties, including the People’s Conference, CPI-M, and AAP, each won one seat, with Independents claiming seven seats.

On the day after being sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah convened his first cabinet meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. This marks his return to leadership after previously serving as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2014.

The results of the three-phase elections were announced on October 8, representing the first electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

Omar Abdullah's Cabinet Passes Resolution for Restoring Jammu & Kashmir's Statehood

Omar Abdullah Chairs First Cabinet Meeting as Chief Minister of Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir

Omar Abdullah Sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Today