HP Cabinet to have new member in Sujan Singh Pathania: CM

Shimla, Jul 30 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the state Cabinet will soon have a new member in Sujan Singh Pathania, increasing its strength to 11 in the 68-member assembly.

''Mr Pathania will be administered the oath of office and secrecy on Wednesday at 1030 hrs after State Governor V S Kokje returns to the state Capital,'' he told reporters here.

Mr Singh said his induction had nothing to do with former transport and tourism minister G S Bali's resignation from the Cabinet and was on the cards since long.

''The induction was held up since the governor was out of the town,'' he said.

He said one more legislator from Kangra district could be inducted in the Cabinet following Mr Bali's resignation.

However, he did not specify about the possibility of appointing any parliamentary secretaries in the state.

Mr Pathania, who represents Jawali constituency in Kangra district, has remained a minister in the Virbhadra Singh government earlier also.

UNI