Second promotion for Sriprakash Jaiswal within two years

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Once seen as a spokesman of thegovernment on internal security matters, Sriprakash Jaiswalwas today elevated to Cabinet rank and retained in the CoalMinistry -- giving him a second promotion within two years.

A three-time Lok Sabha member from Kanpur, Jaiswal''selevation to the Cabinet rank comes at a time when electionsare scheduled in Uttar Pradesh, where he served as the stateunit chief of the Congress.

In his elevation, he has shed the portfolio of statisticsand programme implementation, which is usually held by aminister of state.

In the UPA-I, Jaiswal was the Minister of State for HomeAffairs and held fort in the media on matters related tointernal security.

Born on September 25, 1944, Jaiswal has risen graduallyin the ranks in the Congress party.

From being the Mayor of Kanpur city, the industrial hubof Uttar Pradesh, in 1989-92, he went on to become the stateunit chief in 1999-2000.

He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999 and wasmember of Parliamentary Committee on Petroleum and Chemicalsand the joint committee dealing with the salaries andallowances granted to MPs.

Following his re-election in 2004, Jaiswal was made theMinister of State for Home Affairs, a post that often broughthim brickbats for being ever ready with stock comments on anyinternal security situation.

His return to the Lok Sabha in 2009 saw him beingelevated as a Minister of State with Independent charge. Thisis his second promotion within a span of two years.