news details |
|
|
| Azad keeps promise, Kundal sworn in as Minister | | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | June 6
After some small slips between cup and the lips, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today kept the ‘high profile’ promise as former Chief Secretary BR Kundal was finally sworn in as a Cabinet Minister.
The Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha administered oath of office and secrecy as cabinet minister to B. R. Kundal in the council of ministers of Jammu and Kashmir. The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by a galaxy of political leaders and bureaucrats besides family of Kundal at Srinagar Raj Bhawan this evening.
Besides Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, prominent among those present on the occasion were Union Minister for Water Resources Prof. Saif-Ud-Din Soz, Union Minister of State for Commerce Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Speaker Legislative Assembly Mr. Tara Chand, Chairman Legislative Council Mr. Ghulam Nabi Lone, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Minister for Health and Medical Education Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma.
His induction in the cabinet was preceded by a breezy controversy when the PDP, which shares power with the Congress, raised objections on Kundal’s berth in the cabinet, proposed by the Chief Minister on Monday, on the ground that the Congress had not informed its coalition partner in advance.
Another hiccup that delayed his induction in the cabinet was a roar from Suman Bhagat, MLA from R.S.Pora, who conveyed her displeasure against Ghulam Nabi Azad for giving a a new entrant to the congress a cabinet post.
The two hurdles were removed and Kundal got what he had been promised by the Chief Minister after quitting the plum post of chief secretary. The 1972 IAS batch officer has been wooed to the Congress to strengthen the Dalit vote bank of the Congress.It is in this connection that Mr Kundal would be given the congress mandate for contesting the ensuing election either from Samba or some other constituency. Since the new Assembly has to be constituted by the middle of November Mr Kundal need not contest either for the Assembly or for the council seat for retaining his cabinet post. The constitution provides that a member of the council of ministers has to be a member of either the Assembly or the council within six months of his induction in the cabinet.
Kundal told reporters “my priorities as Minister would be to serve the general public especially the downtrodden.” Asked whether he felt excited over his induction in the cabinet Mr Kundal said “I am not excited as I have tasted power as Chief Secretary and earlier as Divisional Commissioner and Home commissioner. Yes, I am happy that as a cabinet minister I would be able to serve the people in a better way.”
In reply to another question he said “yes being a cabinet minister is like sitting on a bed of thorns when occupying chief secretary’s seat was more cosy.”He added “being a member of the council of ministers is a challenging task and I hope I shall come up to the expectations of the people of the state.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
