The Hindu : Other States / Haryana News : Cabinet expansion after talks with Sonia: Hooda

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Friday, Jun 24, 2005

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Cabinet expansion after talks with Sonia: Hooda

Chief Minister can take five more Ministers ``There is no ban on appointing elected legislators as chairman of boards and corporations,'' he added

CHANDIGARH: Ruling out immediate expansion of cabinet, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said that any decision on induction of new ministers in his cabinet would be taken in consultation with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. ``I am going on a two day tour to Mumbai. Either before going to Mumbai or after return from there I will hold discussions with Sonia on cabinet expansion,'' the chief minister told reporters here.

At present the strength of Haryana cabinet was nine, including the Chief Minister. The strength of Hooda's cabinet could be 14.

On appointment of chairman of boards and corporations, the chief minister said that the decision on this would also be taken after consultations with the party high command.

``There is no ban on appointing elected legislators as chairman of boards and corporations,'' he said.

On his Mumbai tour, he specified that he would hold confabulations with Chamber of commerce and industrialists for investments in Haryana.

In a bid to promote Punjabi as a language in the state, the chief minister said that the school where more than 15 students opt for this language would be provided one teacher of Punjabi language.

Hooda said that his government had decided to give scholarships to 2000 scheduled castes and 1000 backward class category students of 10th and 12th class from the current session.

The government would give a scholarship of Rs 1000 per month to deserving students of these categories, he said.

Asserting that the state Pradesh Congress Committee's functioning was normal. ``State PCC acting chief Bhajan Lal and working chief Randeep Singh Surjewala are performing their duties in the right direction,'' he added.

On the power scenario, the chief minister said that problems pertaining to power cuts would be resolved soon. ``Due to technical problems one unit of Panipat thermal plant had become non operational, but it had become operational now,'' he said.

The chief minister said that the state government would soon start purchasing additional 330 Mega Watt power from Himachal Pradesh.

He reiterated that the government would take decision on separate Sikh body for managing and controlling Sikh shrines by keeping their interests in mind. -- PTI

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Cabinet expansion after talks with Sonia: Hooda