Sanjeev Arora Joins Punjab Cabinet, Handles Key Portfolios

Chandigarh, Jul 3 (PTI) - Ludhiana West’s newly elected MLA, Sanjeev Arora, has been appointed as a Cabinet minister in Punjab following Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's seventh Cabinet reshuffle in three years.

Arora's induction comes after Dhaliwal resigned from his position in the Punjab Cabinet. Arora takes over Dhaliwal's portfolio of NRI Affairs.

In addition to NRI Affairs, Arora will handle the portfolios of Industry and Commerce and Investment Promotion, previously held by Tarunpreet Singh Sond. Sond will now focus on Tourism & Culture Affairs, Labour, Hospitality, and Rural Development & Panchayats departments.

The Cabinet strength remains at 16, despite Arora's induction and Dhaliwal's resignation. Currently, the Punjab Cabinet can accommodate 18 ministers, including the chief minister.

Dhaliwal, an MLA from Ajnala, addressed his resignation on social media, stating, "My hard work continues for the welfare of the people of Punjab."

Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Mann extended his best wishes to Arora, stating, "Sanjeev Arora ji has been given responsibilities of Industry & Commerce, Investment Promotion, NRI Affairs departments. I hope that Sanjeev Arora ji will meet the expectations of Punjab's people, working honestly and without discrimination for the state's development and welfare."

The oath of office and secrecy was administered to Arora by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during a ceremony at Raj Bhavan, attended by CM Bhagwant Mann, several Cabinet ministers, and other party leaders.

Arora was elected MLA in the Ludhiana West assembly bypoll on June 19, defeating Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 10,637 votes. The bypoll followed the passing of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January.

During the bypoll campaign, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal promised that Arora would be made a minister if elected.

The last Punjab Cabinet reshuffle by the AAP government occurred in September, introducing five new ministers and removing four.

Arora, 61, is an industrialist based in Ludhiana and is known for his social welfare activities, notably through the Krishna Pran Breast Cancer Charitable Trust.

Transitioning from business to politics, Arora became a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab in 2022. He recently resigned from the Rajya Sabha, effective upon acceptance by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

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