Saturday, March 12 2005 21:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The Arjun Munda cabinet tonight (March 12, 2005) announced that the floor test for the new NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government in the Jharkhand Assembly would be held on March 14 and recommended the name of senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Karia Munda as Pro-tem Speaker.

Governor Syed Sibtey Razi had given the Munda Government time till March 21 for holding the trust vote.

The trial of strength on March 14 would be preceded by the election of the Speaker, who would be nominated a day earlier, Cabinet Secretary Aditya Swaroop said after the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

"Expansion of the Council Of Ministers will be taken up after the floor trust," Munda, who chaired his first Cabinet meeting, told newsmen.

The Cabinet meeting decided that the trial of strength would take place on March 14.

Replying to a question, Munda said the enquiry instituted by the Shibu Soren UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government against one of his Ministers, Sudesh Mahto, had been dropped.

He also said the Government would appoint a new advocate general soon.

After taking over the reins, former Chief Minister Shibu Soren had replaced advocate general A K Sinha with R S Majumdar. Munda, however, said Majumdar would continue till a replacement was found.

Meanwhile, an official press release said U K Sangma was appointed as principal secretary to the Chief Minister.

Sangma, who held the same post before Shibu Soren took over as Chief Minister, had gone on leave, the release added.