"Our prime concern should be to make our state as real Punjab"
Former actor and comedian Bhagwant Mann will induct ministers into his cabinet as part of his role as Punjab’s Chief Minister.
The swearing-in ceremony of Mann’s cabinet will be held on March 19, 2022, at Punjab Raj Bhawan.
At the age of 48 years, Mann became the youngest Chief Minister of Punjab since the 1970s.
Mann’s cabinet will have 10 ministers.
The ministers who will take oath during the Punjab cabinet expansion ceremony are:
- Harpal Singh Cheema
- Dr Baljit Kaur
- Harbhajan Singh ETO
- Dr Vijay Singla
- Lal Chand Kataruchak
- Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer
- Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal
- Laljit Singh Bhullar
- Bram Shanker (Jimpa)
- Harjot Singh Bains
There are 18 berths in the cabinet, including the Chief Minister.
After taking their oath, the ministers will take charge in the Punjab Civil Secretariat and the first cabinet meeting of the AAP dispensation will be held in the afternoon.
On March 16, 2022, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit had administered the oath of office and secrecy to Bhagwant Mann in the swearing-in ceremony.
In his first meeting, Chief Minister Mann urged officials to turn Punjab into a model state.
Giving an example of the Indian cricket team, he said:
“Matches are won or lost but it is the team spirit which matters. Our prime concern should be to make our state as real Punjab, not the London, California or Paris.”
At the meeting, Bhagwant Mann continued:
“People who gave us an opportunity to serve the state are the real rulers.”
He stated the biggest priority is to create job opportunities for the state youth.
He said: “This scenario has even forced poor and hapless parents to sell their properties for sending their wards abroad for better prospects to earn a livelihood.”
Bhagwant Mann promised his government would soon come up with a comprehensive action plan to generate tremendous job potential for unemployed youth.
He went on to say that his government would not indulge in political vendettas.
Chief Minister Mann asked the entire administration to discharge their duties fearlessly without any political pressure, unlike earlier regimes.
Appreciating the enormous capabilities and capacities of both the civil and police officers, Mann said:
“I expect you to respect the common man and in turn, we too would give you respect and due recognition in exhibiting the real spirit of being a public servant.
“Corrupt officers have no place in my government.”
Earlier, in his introductory address, Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari welcomed the Chief Minister and assured that both the civil and police administration would work together to implement the pro-people policies and programmes at the ground level in the right earnest as per the government’s directive.
Bhagwant Mann is a member of the Aam Aadmi Party and it won 92 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly.