Capt sworn in as CM of Punjab
Keeps home; Sidhu get local bodies, Manpreet finance
Chandigarh, March 16
Congress Legislature Party leader Capt Amarinder Singh was on Thursday sworn in as the 26th Chief Minister of Punjab. He took oath as CM for a second time at a well-organised ceremony at Punjab Raj Bhawan here.
Minutes before the beginning of the ceremony, security personnel had a tough time controlling Congress leaders trying to get through the security cordon at the entrance to the VVIP venue for special dignitaries.
Amarinder was wearing a full-sleeve kurta and a black jacket and sported his medals.
A battery of Congress leaders were present. These included former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Rajinder Gupta, Navin Jindal, Sachin Pilot, Rajiv Shukla and Raj Babbar.
Amarinder, along with seven cabinet and two ministers of state (independent charge), was administered the oath by Governor VP Singh Badnore.
Capt Amarinder Singh will hold the portfolios of home and vigilance, Brahm Mohindra health, medical education and parliamentary affairs, Navjot Singh Sidhu local government and Manpreet Badal will be in charge of the finance ministry.
On the advice of Amarinder, who was sworn in on Thursday, Governor VP Singh Badnore allotted portfolios to the newly inducted ministers.
Announcing this here, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said Amarinder would hold the portfolios of general administration, personnel, home affairs and justice, vigilance and all other departments not assigned to any other minister.
Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra has been given the portfolios of health and family welfare, research and medical education and parliamentary affairs.
Navjot Singh Sidhu has been allotted the portfolios of local government and tourism and cultural affairs, archives and museums.
Manpreet Singh Badal has been assigned the departments of finance, planning and employment generation.
The departments of forests, printing and Stationery, and welfare of SCs and BCs would be looked after by Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot.
Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa has been given the charge of rural development and panchayats and water supply and sanitation.
Cabinet Minister Rana Gurjit Singh had been allotted the portfolios of irrigation and power.
Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has been allotted technical education and industrial training.
Aruna Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), has been assigned the portfolios of higher education and school education. Another Minister of State (Independent Charge) Razia Sultana has been allotted the portfolios of PWD (B&R), social security and development of women and children.
