Newly Elected AAP MLA Sanjeev Arora Takes Charge of Industry and NRI Affairs in Punjab

Sanjeev Arora Appointed to Key Departments

Sanjeev Arora, the newly elected AAP MLA from Ludhiana West, has been assigned the portfolios of the Industry Department and NRI Affairs. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was overseeing NRI Affairs, has resigned from his position. The Industry Department was previously held by Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who will continue to manage the Rural Development, Labor, and Tourism Departments. With Dhaliwal's resignation, the total number of ministers in Bhagwant Mann's cabinet remains at 16, leaving two positions still vacant.

Oath Ceremony and Ministerial Changes

Earlier, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath of office and secrecy to Arora at the Punjab Raj Bhavan. This marks the seventh expansion of the Punjab cabinet during the three-year rule of AAP. Following his resignation, Dhaliwal stated that he stepped down voluntarily, emphasizing that his priority is Punjab, not his position or department. He mentioned that he agreed to resign to allow someone else the opportunity, affirming his continued support for the party.

Brief Oath-Taking Ceremony

The oath-taking ceremony, conducted by Punjab's Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, lasted only six minutes. It commenced with the singing of the national anthem, followed by the governor administering the oath to the new minister. The event concluded with another rendition of the national anthem, attended by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, his wife Gurpreet Kaur Mann, and several other ministers and dignitaries.