B R E A K I N G N E W S

10-member Cabinet takes oath in Haryana

Chandigarh, March 10
Haryana's new Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today formed his Cabinet with a 10-member Council of Ministers sworn in by Governor A R Kidwai

Dr Kidwai administered oath of office and secrecy to the ministers who were chosen after Mr Hooda's four-day consultations with the Congress high command.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhawan at 5 pm. Mr Hooda was himself sworn in on March 5.

The most significant inclusion in the cabinet is of former Haryana Congress president Birender Singh who, along with incumbent party chief Bhajan Lal, was a front-runner in the race for Chief Ministership. Haryana Congress working president Randeep singh Surjewala, son of former state party chief Shamsher Singh Surjewala, has also been made a minister.

While Mr Bhajan Lal has chosen to stay out of the cabinet, his son Chander Mohan has been sworn in.

Surender Singh, son of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal, has also been picked up to represent the camp led by the veteran Jat leader who merged his Haryana Vikas Party with the Congress ahead of the assembly elections.

Among the others who were sworn in today were former Union Minister Venod Sharma, industrialist O P Jindal, former officiating leader of opposition in Haryana assembly Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, former state ministers Kartar Devi and Lachhman Das Arora and Mr Phool Chand Mulana. — UNI