In preparation for an upcoming Cabinet expansion, the State Government has appointed Oinam Sunil Singh and retired Lieutenant General L. Nishikanta Singh as Advisors to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand. This decision was formalized through an order from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, following a Cabinet meeting on February 17. Both appointees will serve a one-year term, effective immediately, and their roles are designed to enhance the advisory support to the Chief Minister’s office.
Oinam Sunil Singh has been designated as the Media Advisor. He has a rich background in journalism, having started his career in 1988-89. Before his current appointment, he held the position of Senior Assistant Editor (North East) at The Times of India and served as the State Information Commissioner for the Manipur Information Commission.
On the other hand, retired Lt Gen L. Nishikanta Singh has been appointed as Advisor (Coordination) to the Chief Minister. He was commissioned into the Army at the youthful age of 20 and joined the 9th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) in 1979. Notably, he became the second Lieutenant General from Manipur when he attained the rank in September 2015, and he is also the third Lieutenant General from the northeastern region since India’s independence. Lt Gen Nishikanta holds an M. Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University and has received the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) twice, alongside three Commendation Cards. He has also made significant contributions to the enhancement of the country’s security and intelligence systems and is recognized as an expert in these fields.