NEW DELHI, July 20 � Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Paban Singh Ghatowar has been given additional charge of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
An official notification issued today stated that the President of India, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, has directed that Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region be assigned additional charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister and Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, Ghatowar told this newspaper that as the Chief Whip of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, he had been handling the party�s business in the House. Perhaps, they want to continue to utilise my services in the Parliament,� he said.
Meanwhile, Ghatowar is leaving for Guwahati tomorrow on a short visit. He is scheduled to tour Shillong and visit North Eastern Council (NEC) office to take stock of its functioning, ahead of the ensuing Parliament Session. He is also scheduled to visit Dibrugarh and Tinsukia before returning to Delhi. This is his first visit after assuming charge as Minister.
