Paban Singh Ghatowar (born 6 December 1950) is an Indian politician.

Paban Singh Ghatowar
Paban Singh Ghatowar at the 2013 Horasis Global India Business Meeting
Union Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
In office
July 2011 - 26 May 2014
Preceded byShri B. K. Handique
Succeeded byGeneral V.K. Singh
ConstituencyDibrugarh, Assam
Member of parliament
for Dibrugarh
In office
2009–2014
Preceded bySarbananda Sonowal
Succeeded byRameswar Teli
In office
1991–2004
Preceded byHaren Bhumij
Succeeded bySarbananda Sonowal
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare
In office
1995–1996
Union Deputy Minister of Labour
In office
1991–1993
President of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee
In office
2002–2004
Personal details
Born (1950-12-06) 6 December 1950 (age 74)
Sivasagar, Assam, India
Political partyIndian National Congress
SpouseSmt. Jibontara Ghatowar
Children1 son, 1 daughter
ResidenceNew Delhi
As of 27 May, 2014
Source: [1]

Political career

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He is a member of the Indian National Congress and has been elected Member of Parliament five times: 10th Loksabha, 11th Lok Sabha, 12th Lok Sabha, 13th Lok Sabha and 15th Lok Sabha.[1] He was the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region and Parliamentary Affairs from July 2011 to May 2014.[2][3]

The five-time Dibrugarh MP first entered the Lok Sabha in 1991 after a long innings in the Indian National Trade Union Congress, Assam, where he was General-Secretary, working for the welfare of tea garden labourers.[4] After 2009 Indian general election, he was made the chief whip, Congress Parliamentary Party, Lok Sabha. He has been Union Deputy Minister, Labour in 1991–93, Union Deputy Minister, Health and Family Welfare in 1993–95 and Union Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare.[5]

Controversy over Black Money

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WikiLeaks in 2011 had disclosed a list of Indian Swiss bank account holders, in which Paban Singh Ghatowar's name appeared. The news was carried out in many newspapers in Assam including The Assam Tribune. Ghatowar later denied having any such account.[6]

Incidentally, Ram Jethmalani, had filed a petition in the Supreme Court submitting a list of at least 20 persons holding accounts in Swiss banks. According to his petition, a former Union minister from Assam (name not mentioned) has Rs 3,908 crore in a Swiss bank account. The matter is referred to the Supreme Court.[7]

Personal

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He is B.A. educated at Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam Industrial Relations Training (U.K.), 1975. His wife Jibontara Ghatowar is Parliamentary Secy. and Member of the Legislative Assembly in Assam.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Detailed Profile: Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar Retrieved 17 January 2012
  2. ^ "List of Council of ministers in Modi Cabinet". The Hindu. 27 May 2014.
  3. ^ Unfinished projects annoy Ghatowar Retrieved 17 January 2012
  4. ^ Know your minister Archived 22 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 17 January 2012
  5. ^ Fifteenth Lok Sabha, Members Bioprofile
  6. ^ "The Assam Tribune Online". www.assamtribune.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Cong to respect apex court order". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014.
  8. ^ Profile: Union cabinet minister Paban Singh Ghatowar Retrieved 17 January 2012