Srinagar, Oct 25: The Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to expand its Council of Ministers on Tuesday, October 27, with the swearing-in ceremony expected to take place at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.

The proposed exercise is expected to bring new faces into the government and may also involve changes in the allocation of ministerial portfolios. Regional representation is likely to be a key consideration as political circles await clarity on the composition of the expanded Cabinet.

Sources familiar with the developments indicated that legislators from Ramban, Poonch, Anantnag and North Kashmir could be considered for induction. There is also speculation that at least one minister from the Jammu division may be dropped as part of the reshuffle.

However, the names of prospective ministers and the final composition of the Council of Ministers have not been officially announced.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is expected to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the incoming ministers. The final list of nominees could be submitted to Lok Bhavan by Monday evening or Tuesday morning, though the swearing-in ceremony has yet to receive official confirmation.

The proposed expansion may also lead to a redistribution of departments among existing ministers, with portfolio allocations likely to be finalised after the induction process.

At present, the Council of Ministers comprises Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, and ministers Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.

Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers in the Union Territory cannot exceed nine members, including the Chief Minister. The proposed expansion is being closely watched for its implications for regional representation and the distribution of responsibilities within the government.