Guwahati, Jun 6: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that the budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly will begin on July 6 and continue for 21 days.

Addressing reporters after chairing the first cabinet meeting of his newly expanded ministry, Sarma explained that the government could only pass a vote-on-account earlier due to the Assembly elections, which prevented the release of scheme-related benefits. He stated that disbursement under various development schemes would commence from August 1 once the full budget is approved during the session.

The Chief Minister added that portfolios for the newly inducted ministers would be finalized within a week, after careful consideration of all aspects.

He further noted that the list of guardian ministers, who will oversee developmental activities in their assigned districts, would be announced on Saturday.

This cabinet meeting marked the first session of the expanded 16-member ministry, following the swearing-in of 12 new ministers earlier in the day.

Four ministers had already taken oath on May 12, when Sarma returned to power for a second consecutive term as head of the NDA government after the alliance secured a record 102 seats in the recently concluded Assembly elections.