AIZAWL, July 3 ?Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has said he would downsize his council of ministers by dropping three ministers before the expiry of the July 7 deadline in accordance with the provisions of the 91st amendment of the Constitution, reports PTI. ?It would be done before the expiry of the deadline set by the Constitution,? Zoramthanga told reporters here on Friday. He said that his cabinet colleagues fully authorised him to make the changes as it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to expand or downsize his council of ministers.
He said that there would be no problem in his government due to this exercise as ?it was the ministers who approached him and said in the true spirit of tlawmngaihna or the Mizo traditional way of sacrificing oneself for the sake of others that everyone was ready to step down.? The Zoramthanga ministry has 15 members including him and as per the provision of the constitutional amendment small states like Mizoram can have a maximum of 12 ministers. The downsizing of the ministry is estimated to reduce the government expenditure to around Rs 3 crore annually.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Prison and Printing and Stationary K Vanlalauva has said that he was drafting his resignation letter and would submit it on Monday. Vanlalauva, a former underground leader and close aide of Chief Minister Zoramthanga said that he had already informed his intentions to him on Friday.
Even as he evaded questions whether he would become Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, ruling Mizo National Front sources said that he was the most likely candidate for the post.