14 new Assam ministers sworn-in

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Friday reconstituted his ministry by inducting 14 new ministers.

Governor P.B. Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the ministers -- 11 cabinet ministers and three ministers of state (Independent charge).

The cabinet ministers are Bhumidhar Barman, Sarat Barkataky, Ajanta Neog, Nazrul Islam, Rakibul Hussain, Chandan Kumar Sarkar, Khor Sing Engti, Sukur Ali, Ajit Singh, Basanta Das and Atuwa Munda.

Sumitra Doley Patir, Girindra Mallik and Bismita Gogoi were sworn-in as ministers of state (Independent charge).

"The process of development will grow faster in the state now. There are mixtures of new and inexperienced with experienced ones in the ministry... The new and inexperienced ministers will learn and would work better," Gogoi told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.

The chief minister denied that the reshuffle was aimed at the state assembly polls in 2016. He, however, added that the Congress would win the 2016 assembly polls.

Gogoi said there were several criteria for selection of ministers. "All kinds of factors such as religion, caste, ethnicity and many other factors are taken into account while selecting them."