Former Punjab Minister Khushal Behl dead

Gurdaspur, June 15: Khushal Behl, veteran Congress leader from Punjab and former state Minister, died at his residence here after brief illness, his family said today.

He was 87. Behl was a diabetic. He breathed his last on Saturday night, they said. He represented Gurdaspur Assembly constituency and was elected MLA four times. He was appointed state minister thrice and held a number of portfolios.

Behl started his political career as a student leader from Lahore and joined the Congress. He first contested the election of Municipal Council of Gurdaspur and became its President. He worked under the Chief Ministership of Giani Zail Singh, Beant Singh, Harcharan Singh Brar and Amarinder Singh.

During his ministership, he held the portfolios of Medical Education, Industrial Training, Jails, Labour and Employment, Higher Education and School Education. In the party too, he worked in various capacities and was known for his honesty and integrity. He fought for the cause of poor and down trodden, his aides said.

He was associated with many philanthropic organisations. He was the founder Chairman of Gurdaspur Education Society and worked hard for the cause of education in the area. He is survived by three sons Raman, Aman and Ajay.

PTI