Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann set for Bhavnagar, Bharuch campaign tour for AAP on April 16-17
This move comes as the AAP and Congress navigate a recent seat-sharing agreement within the INDIA bloc.
The Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit, on Saturday, administered the oath of office and secrecy to Dr. Balbir Singh as Cabinet minister of the state at a brief ceremony here at Punjab Raj Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Disclosing this on Saturday, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that with this the total strength of the Cabinet had increased to 15 including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Dr. Singh has been given charge of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
The first-time legislator from Patiala Rural, Dr. Balbir Singh is an eye surgeon. He had defeated senior Congress leader Brahm Mohindra’s son Mohit Mohindra in the Assembly polls held last year.
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Earlier, the additional chief secretary to CM, A Venuprasad, conducted the proceedings of the ceremony with the permission of the governor. After being sworn in, Dr. Balbir signed the oath, which was counter signed by the Governor.
Meanwhile, CM Mann congratulated Dr. Singh for the new assignment and said that the new minister has already been serving the masses with missionary zeal. He expressed hope that that the new minister will continue to serve the people with the same passion and fervour.
Mann said that the state government is already according top priority to the Health department adding that a hardcore professional like Dr Balbir will further take the department to zenith.
The development comes shortly after Fauja Singh Sarari resigned as Cabinet minister after he was embroiled in a controversy over an audio clip in which he allegedly discussed ways to “trap” some contractors in order to “extort” money.
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