Sunday, January 18, 2026

Parliamentary standing committees formed, Rahul Gandhi in Defence

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committees for 2024-2025 were constituted with the Congress members chairing four committees, including the External Affairs.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is a member of the standing committee on Defence.

Each committee is a combination of members from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

The Congress has been given the chairmanship of four key panels.

The committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will be headed by Digvijaya Singh, the committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing will be led by former Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi, Rural and Panchayati Raj will be led by Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka and Shashi Tharoor will head the External Affairs.

BJP’s Radha Mohan Singh will head the committee on Defence. Bhartruhari Mahtab will head the committee on Finance.

Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Rajiv Pratap Rudy have been given the chairmanships of committees on Coal, Mines and Steel; and Water Resources respectively.

BJP member Nishikant Dubey has been made the chairman of the committee on Communications and Information Technology.

Radha Mohan Das Agrawal of the BJP will head the committee on Home Affairs. The committee on Commerce will be headed by TMC’s Dola Sen.

Health and Family Welfare will be headed by Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. Tiruchi Siva of DMK will head the panel on Industry.

This committee is tasked with overseeing and providing legislative oversight on issues related to commerce, trade policies, and economic development in relation to India’s commerce sector.

The committee plays a vital role in reviewing policy matters and ensuring that the commerce sector contributes effectively to the nation’s economy.

The Committee on communications and IT has as members SP’s Jaya Bachchan, SS (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi, BJD’s Sushmit Patra and Congress’ KTS Tulsi from the Upper House, as well as BJP MPs Anil Baluni, Kangana Ranaut and Poonam Madam, and TMC’s Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha.

However, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s name does not figure in any of the committees. Major BJP allies such as the TDP and Janata Dal (United) besides its partners in the poll-bound Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena and the NCP, will be heading one committee each.

Former Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh will chair the Committee on Defence. Rahul Gandhi is a member of the panel on Defence. Haris Beeran, Samik Bhattacharya, Ajay Makan, Derek O’Brien, Nabam Rebia, Neeraj Shekhar, Kapil Sibal, GK Vasan and Sanjay Yadav are the other members of the panel on Defence.

The panel on Home Affairs will be headed by BJP member Radha Mohan Das Agrawal.

The lone NCP Lok Sabha member Sunil Tatkare will be heading the panel on Petroleum and Natural Gas and Shiv Sena’s Shrirang Appa Barne will helm the committee on Energy. JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha will be heading the committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture. TDP MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy will chair the committee on Housing and Urban Affairs.

DMK’s Tiruchi Siva and K Kanimozhi will chair the committees on Industry; and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution respectively.

Arvind Kejriwal slams BJP for ‘halting’ development in Delhi, thanks SC for bail

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of deliberately halting development work in the national capital during his absence.

Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal, who recently secured bail from the Supreme Court, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using his power to derail Delhi’s progress.

“With the blessings of God and the support of the people of Delhi, I stand here today after being released from jail. The opposition may be disheartened to see both me and (former Deputy Chief Minister) Manish Sisodia here today, ” he said.

Acknowledging the Prime Minister’s political influence, Kejriwal remarked: “PM Modi is very powerful, with vast resources. But he is not God. There is a higher power that stood with us, which is why the Supreme Court granted me bail today.”

He claimed that the BJP had intentionally sabotaged Delhi’s infrastructure during his absence, citing the deterioration of roads around Delhi University as an example.

“When I got out of jail, people told me the roads in Delhi University had worsened. I inspected them with the Chief Minister (Atishi) and requested her to order repairs, which she promptly did, ” he said.

Kejriwal further revealed that during a conversation with a senior BJP leader, he was told that his arrest was intended to halt Delhi’s development.

“I was shocked. How can anyone take pleasure in ruining the lives of 2 crore people in the capital? How can politics stoop so low?” he questioned.

Kejriwal accused the BJP of focusing on tarnishing AAP’s image instead of working for the people. He pointed out that the BJP had failed to win Delhi’s elections for 27 years and was now resorting to obstruction tactics.

“You are the Union government with immense resources. If I built 500 Mohalla clinics, what’s stopping you from building 5, 000? If Manish Sisodia built 700 schools, why can’t you build 7, 000? The public will notice that, ” he added.

Kejriwal also criticised the BJP for suspending key public services in his absence, including bus marshals, pensions for the elderly, and pilgrimage trips for senior citizens. He argued that these actions would only hurt the BJP’s standing with the public.

“The public isn’t foolish. They watch everything silently, and on election day, they will express their discontent through their votes. Stopping work won’t get you votes; delivering better work will, ” he stressed.

Kejriwal also defended his integrity, asserting that the people of Delhi believe he is “absolutely honest” and committed to their welfare.

He challenged the BJP, stating, “They jailed five of our top leaders, but our party remains strong. I challenge them to jail just two of their own leaders, and their party will collapse.”

Reflecting on his jail experience, Kejriwal mentioned that despite being charged under a law that typically denies bail, the Supreme Court granted him bail.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Delhi, promising to resume all halted development work.

He sarcastically urged the BJP to restart pilgrimage trips for senior citizens, even suggesting that they embark on a pilgrimage themselves.

Congressmen live for their families, for BJP workers national interest is above everything: PM Modi

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday drew a sharp contrast between the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ‘nation first’ policy and Congress’ ‘family over everything’ approach and asserted that the party’s victory in Haryana was certain as the people of the state have decided to bless it again.

In a direct interaction with BJP booth workers of Haryana through the NaMo App, PM Modi said, “National interest is paramount for every BJP worker, and the people of Haryana have decided to give BJP a chance to serve once again.”

Launching a diatribe at Congress, he said, “The entire focus of those who are contesting against us is based on lies. Spreading lies and canards, talking nonsense and vitiating the atmosphere has been their strategy.”

“Most of their time is spent in factionalism, fighting, settling scores with each other. The party which has remained indifferent to public issues for 10 years, which lives for its own family or its own group, such people can never win the trust of the people of Haryana, ” PM Modi further said.

He also said that Congress has failed as an Opposition in the past ten years and added that the party, despite its big boasts, is not making an impact on people.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the achievements of the BJP government in Haryana in the past decade and said that the corruption-free dispensation ensured that employment was being given without any slip or expenditure for the first time in the state.

“Therefore, the people of Haryana are with us, their blessings are with us, victory is certain, ” he said, exuding confidence.

“Congress people live only for their own families. Congress is not concerned about anyone else’s children, ” PM Modi told the booth workers.

The Prime Minister also took potshots at the Congress over its ‘aversion’ against any person from a backward caste taking up the highest offices of the country.

“They (Congress) are worried about how the country’s PM came from a backward community, how the Haryana Chief Minister came from a backward community. That is why these people spread lies because they think that if the power of the backward communities increases, what will happen to them? I would also like to tell my brothers to ask the Congress for an account of how many lies it dished out regarding MSP, ” he said, addressing the gathering of booth workers.

LoP Rahul seeks clarification from PM on Kangana’s statement on farm laws

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  A statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut regarding the three controversial farm laws has sparked a major political row. Despite withdrawing her comments, the actress-turned-politician continues to face backlash not only from the Opposition but also from members of her own party.

On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify his stance on Ranaut’s remarks.

LoP Gandhi questioned whether the Prime Minister supports or opposes the views expressed by the BJP MP.

“One of their MPs talked about reviving the repealed farm laws. Modi ji, you need to clarify – are you for or against it? Will you revive the farmers’ law or not? If you do, I guarantee that the India Bloc will stand firmly against it, ” the Congress MP said.

The LoP further questioned who dictates the government’s policy, asking, “It is a BJP MP or the Prime Minister?”

Referring to the deaths of over 700 farmers, particularly from Haryana and Punjab, during the protests against the three farm laws, LoP Gandhi criticised the BJP. “Even after such sacrifices, the BJP seems unsatisfied. The INDIA Bloc will not allow any conspiracy by the BJP to harm our farmers. If any attempt is made, Modi ji will have to apologise once again, ” he said.

Rahul Gandhi also pointed out that some members within the BJP often “test ideas” by introducing them into public discourse and gauging reactions. “This is exactly what has happened in this case, ” he added.

The BJP, however, distanced itself from Kangana’s comments, saying they do not represent the party’s views.

“Kangana Ranaut is not authorised to make such a statement on behalf of the BJP and it doesn’t depict the BJP’s view on the farm Bills, ” party’s spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said.

Earlier on Tuesday, in an interview to the media, Kangana remarked, “I know this statement could be controversial, but the three farm laws should be brought back. The farmers should themselves demand it.”

The MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi said the three laws were beneficial for the farmers but were repealed by the Centre in the wake of the protests by farmer groups in some states.

“Farmers are a pillar of strength in the nation’s development. I want to appeal to them to demand the laws back for their good, ” she added.

PM Modi’s US visit has boosted India’s global image: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Lucknow:  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday extended congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the success of his three-day visit to the US.

He commended the Prime Minister’s diplomatic efforts, stating, “This visit has further strengthened India’s image as a positive and transformative force on the global stage.”

Addressing the media, CM Yogi remarked: “The world’s most popular leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is returning to India after a highly successful three-day US visit. This visit has been not only a major success in terms of foreign policy but has also elevated the credibility of ‘Brand India’ on the global stage.”

CM Yogi highlighted a key aspect of the visit, noting, “During the ‘Cancer Moonshot’ program at the QUAD Leaders Summit, the Prime Minister pledged $7.5 million in aid and 40 million vaccine doses to combat cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region. This reflects the spirit of India’s Rishi tradition, ‘Sarve Santu Niramaya’ (May all be free from disease).

“Additionally, an extraordinary example of silicon diplomacy was witnessed during this visit. In a historic collaboration, the US Army and India launched the ‘Shakti’ semiconductor manufacturing plant, the first of its kind within the Quad group.”

CM Yogi Adityanath noted that, as with previous visits, this US trip also resulted in the return of rare Indian artefacts to India due to the Prime Minister’s efforts.

“Among these artefacts is a statue that is four thousand years old. To date, 578 artefacts have been repatriated to India from the United States. Undoubtedly, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India is witnessing a cultural renaissance in this Amrit Kaal.”

Referring to a special agreement between India and the U.S. to promote micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the visit, CM Yogi highlighted that the agreement symbolises the Prime Minister’s commitment to the vision of a self-reliant India.

He emphasised that this initiative will provide a significant boost to the MSME sector in states like Uttar Pradesh.

Taking a dig at the opposition, Yogi stated: “A new geopolitical equation has rapidly emerged following the COVID-19 period. In today’s multipolar world, no global group is considered complete without India’s presence. While the Prime Minister is working tirelessly to elevate India to the status of a global leader, opposition leaders are damaging the nation’s image by aligning with anti-national forces. In their opposition to India’s core ideology, these leaders have essentially become anti-national themselves.”

Praising the Prime Minister, CM Yogi Adityanath stated that in today’s world, leaders from war-torn nations look to Prime Minister Modi for conflict resolution.

“Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is the architect of the global leader that India has become over the past decade. Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for establishing a credible identity for Brand India, for elevating the image of Mother India on the international stage, and for enhancing India’s standing globally.”

CM Yogi Adityanath also took to the social media platform X to congratulate PM Modi, stating: “Prime Minister Modi’s exemplary diplomacy has reinforced India’s image on the global stage as a strong, positive, transformative, development-oriented, and efficient leader. Under your successful leadership, the message of India’s Sanatan culture – ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ – is resonating worldwide. Your vision for public welfare and constructive engagement during the Quad Summit ‘Modi and US’ mega community event has positioned ‘New India’ as a solution to global challenges. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, Prime Minister, for giving new dimensions to India-US friendship and elevating our nation on the global horizon.”

J&K polls : Vote for your rights & prosperity, says Rahul Gandhi

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Tehelka WebDesk
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New Delhi:  As the second phase of polling was underway in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged the people to come out in large numbers and exercise their vote

In a post on X, he wrote that people must come out in large numbers to vote for their rights and prosperity.

“My brothers and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir, today is the second phase of voting, come out in large numbers and vote for your rights, prosperity and blessings – Vote for INDIA.”

Gandhi attacked the Centre for downgrading J&K to the UT status and promised to restore the statehood.

He further wrote on X in Hindi (translated as): “By snatching your statehood from you, the BJP government has insulted you and played with your constitutional rights. Your every vote given to INDIA will break this maze of injustice created by BJP and bring Jammu and Kashmir on the path of prosperity.”

Rahul Gandhi will be addressing two rallies in the UT on Wednesday — one in Jammu and the other in Kashmir. He will first hold an interaction after he arrives in Jammu with professionals at the Radisson Hotel in the city. The interaction will start around 11.25 a.m. After the interaction, Gandhi will address a Congress campaign rally at JK Resort ground in Jammu at 12.30 p.m.

He will address his rally in the Sopore town of Baramulla district in Kashmir. This public meeting will take place at the government Higher Secondary School ground at Dangarpora in Sopore around 3.25 p.m.

Rahul Gandhi held two public meetings in J&K on September 23, one at Surankote in Poonch district of Jammu division and the other at central Shalteng Assembly constituency in Srinagar district.

JKPCC president, Tariq Hameed Karra is fighting the election from central Shalteng constituency of Srinagar district.

National Conference (NC) and Congress are fighting J&K Assembly elections in a pre-poll alliance. As per the terms of the alliance, NC has fielded candidates in 52 and Congress in 31 Assembly constituencies.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu Condemns Burning of Temple Chariot

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday condemned the incident in which miscreants set afire a temple chariot in Anantapur district and directed officials to bring culprits to justice.

The incident occurred in Hanakanahal village of Kanekal mandal in the early hours of Tuesday.

Unidentified miscreants set the chariot in the Ram temple.

The chariot was completely burnt by the time fire services personnel reached there.

The police said they were investigating the case and were trying to identify the culprits with the help of CCTV footage in the vicinity.

The Chief Minister has strongly condemned the heinous act of setting fire to the temple chariot.

“This constitutes an assault on our culture and values, and such acts of desecration will not be tolerated,” said a post from the official account of Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on ‘X’.

Chandrababu Naidu instructed the District Collector, Superintendent of Police and officials to visit the spot immediately and initiate a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice immediately.

“He promised that the perpetrators of this vile act will face the full force of the law, and he shall personally oversee the investigation to ensure swift and decisive action.”

Anantapur District Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh rushed to the scene and started the investigation.

The incident took place amid the ongoing controversy over alleged adulteration of Tirupati laddu.

Last week, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the ghee mixed with animal fat were used in making laddu prasadam of Tirumala temple when the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) was in power.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also revealed lab reports of some samples of ghee which reveal presence of beef tallow, lard (relating to pig fat), and fish oil in ghee used for the preparation of laddu.

On Sunday, Naidu ordered a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of police into alleged irregularities in Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam during the YSRCP government.

The SIT will be headed by an Inspector General (IG) or a higher official.

Democracy was also European concept: P Chidambaram flays TN Guv for ‘secularism not Indian’ quip

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Chennai:  Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister, P Chidambaram on Tuesday came out strongly against Tamil Nadu Governor, R.N. Ravi for saying there was ‘no need for secularism in India.’

P Chidambaram in a post on social media platform X said, “Having draped Tiruvalluvar in a saffron robe, the Governor of Tamil Nadu has now discovered that secularism was a European concept and it has no place in India. He is not correct, but assume he is right.”

The senior leader added, “Federalism was also a European concept. Shall we declare that Federalism has no place in India? One person, one vote was also a European concept. Shall we declare that some people will have no right to vote? Democracy was also a European concept not known to India that was ruled by maharajas and rajas. Shall we declare that democracy will be jettisoned in this country?”

P Chidambaram further said that Constitutional functionaries, especially those who hold titular positions, should take a vow of silence.

It may be recalled that R.N. Ravi had in a public function at Kanyakumari on Sunday said that secularism was a European concept and was not relevant in India.

Governor Ravi had said, “A lot of frauds have been committed on the people of this country, and one of them is they have tried to give a wrong interpretation of secularism.”

The Governor had said, “What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, and it is not an Indian concept. In Europe, secularism came because there was a fight between the Church and the king… How can India be away from ‘dharma’? Secularism is a European concept and let it be there only. In India, there is no need for secularism.”

Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Virudhunagar constituency Manickam Tagore had also come out against Ravi on this statement.

Tagore had in a post on social media platform X said, “The statement of Tamil Nadu Governor on secularism is unacceptable and is against the Constitution of India and against the ‘Idea of India’ by Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel.”

He said, “While the idea of secularism may be different in foreign countries, in India we respect all other religions, we respect all other traditions and we respect all other practices and this is the idea of secularism in India.”

The three-term MP said that the BJP and other affiliated organisations were against this idea.

He charged that the BJP wanted to insult other religions and other traditions and added that the tradition of India was not like that.

He said, “We want to celebrate diversity, we celebrate other religious beliefs, we celebrate other traditions, other languages and other practices and that is India’s idea of secularism.”

Manickam Tagore said that R.N.Ravi was speaking against the Constitution.

The senior Congress leader said that the BJP and RSS were for changing the Indian Constitution which was based on the thinking of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

The Congress leader said that the Congress party would never allow that to happen and added that the Tamil Nadu Governor had exceeded his limits.

BJP demands Siddaramaiah’s resignation after HC dismisses his plea challenging Guv order

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Karnataka BJP on Tuesday demanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation after the High Court dismissed his petition challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for an investigation against him in a site allotment case.

The party’s state chief B Y Vijayendra noted that the HC has ruled that the Governor’s permission is as per law.

“I request the Chief Minister to keep aside his charges against the Governor, respect the High Court order and, since there are allegations that your (Chief Minister’s) family is involved in the MUDA (site allotment) scam, you should respectfully resign your position as Chief Minister,” he said.

The Chief Minister had challenged the approval given by the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for an investigation against him in the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in a prime locality.

After completing the hearings on the petition in six sittings from August 19, the single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna on September 12 reserved its verdict.

The Governor on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions submitted to him by complainants Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna.

On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved the HC challenging the legality of the Governor’s order.

Punjab Cabinet gets five new faces, drops four

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Tehelka WebDesk
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Chandigarh: The Cabinet led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday inducted five new faces after dropping four ministers — the fourth reshuffle in the two-and-a-half-year-old AAP government.

The newly inducted ministers were administered the oath of office by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at a simple ceremony in Raj Bhawan here.

Four ministers– Chetan Singh Jouramajra, who held the Mining and Horticulture portfolios, Bram Shankar Jimpa (Revenue), Balkar Singh (Local Bodies) and Anmol Gagan Mann (Tourism)–submitted their resignation letters on Sunday.

The inducted were Barinder Goyal, a legislator from Lehra, Hardeep Singh Mundian from Sahnewal, Ravjot Singh from Sham Chaurasi, Tarunpreet Singh Sond from Khanna and Mohinder Bhagat, who got elected from Jalandhar (West) in a bypoll in July.

This fourth reshuffle comes days after AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was replaced by Atishi.

Bhagat, who switched to AAP from BJP last year, won Jalandhar (West), a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency, by a margin of 37, 325 votes. He is the son of former cabinet minister and veteran BJP leader Chunni Lal Bhagat.

Mundian, a legislator from Sahnewal, and Tarunpreet Singh, a legislator from Khanna, both Sikh businessmen, have been elevated to ministerial positions.

Goyal, the legislator from Lehragaga who represents the Baniya community, was sworn in as a Cabinet minister, while Ravjot Singh, a legislator from Sham Chaurasi, has been inducted to consolidate the Dalit vote bank in the Doaba region, where the community holds influence.

Just hours before the oath-taking ceremony, Chief Minister Mann removed his Officer on Special Duty Onkar Singh.

Onkar Singh, who hails from Sangrur, was appointed as the OSD to Chairman of Punjab Rural Development Board, a charge held by Mann.

Singh’s term as OSD was coterminous with the Chief Minister’s term. He was considered a close aide of Mann.

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