New Punjab minister sworn in

CHANDIGARH - Balbir Singh Bath was Sunday sworn in as a cabinet minister in the Punjab government headed by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Bath was sworn in at the Punjab Raj Bhawan by Governor Shivraj Patil.

Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, assembly Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, ministers and legislators attended the ceremony.

The vacancy in the cabinet had arisen after Badal’s nephew and finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal resigned after differences with the Akali Dal leadership over policy issues. He was later expelled from the party.

An agriculturist by profession, Bath has been a three-time legislator in the state. He presently represents the Sri Hargobindpur seat in the assembly.