First Amarinder Singh ministry
First Amarinder Singh ministry | |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Punjab | |
 | |
| Date formed | 27 February 2002 |
| Date dissolved | 1 March 2007 |
| People and organisations | |
Head of state | Governor J. F. R. Jacob |
Head of government | Amarinder Singh |
No. of ministers | 20 |
Total no. of members | 20 |
Member parties | INC |
Status in legislature | Majority government |
| History | |
| Election | 2002 |
Outgoing election | 2002 |
| Legislature term | 5 years |
| Predecessor | Second Badal ministry |
| Successor | Fourth Badal ministry |
The First Amarinder Singh ministry was the Council of Ministers headed by Amarinder Singh in the state of Punjab, India. It was formed after the victory of the Indian National Congress in the 2002 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. Amarinder Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab on 27 February 2002.
The ministry initially consisted of 13 Cabinet Ministers and six Ministers of State. In January 2004, after internal differences within the Punjab Congress, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister. Several changes were made to the Council of Ministers during the tenure of the government.
The ministry remained in office until the defeat of the Congress in the 2007 Punjab Legislative Assembly election, after which the Fourth Badal ministry headed by Parkash Singh Badal assumed office.
Tenure
The Amarinder Singh government came to power promising administrative reforms, economic revival and action against corruption. The government focused on agricultural diversification, industrial revival and improving governance.
Soon after assuming office, the government replaced several senior bureaucrats appointed during the previous administration. Y. S. Ratra was appointed Chief Secretary and M. S. Bhullar was appointed Director General of Police.
The government also constituted committees on agriculture, finance and industrial revival. The S. S. Johl Committee was established to recommend reforms in Punjab agriculture and reduce dependence on the wheat-paddy cycle.
In January 2004, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was appointed Deputy Chief Minister as part of efforts by the Congress high command to resolve factional disputes within the state unit.
Council of Ministers
| S.No | Name | Constituency | Department | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Amarinder Singh Chief Minister of Punjab |
|
INC | ||
| Deputy Chief Minister | |||||
| 2. | Rajinder Kaur Bhattal Deputy Chief Minister |
|
INC | ||
| Cabinet Ministers | |||||
| 3. | Lal Singh |
|
INC | ||
| 4. | Raghunath Sahai Puri |
|
INC | ||
| 5. | Jagmohan Singh Kang |
|
INC | ||
| 6. | Sardul Singh |
|
INC | ||
| 7. | Amarjit Singh Samra |
|
INC | ||
| 8. | Mohinder Singh Kaypee |
|
INC | ||
| 9. | Avtar Henry |
|
INC | ||
| 10. | Ramesh Chander Dogra |
|
INC | ||
| 11. | Partap Singh Bajwa |
|
INC | ||
| 12. | Harnam Dass Johar |
|
INC | ||
| 13. | Surinder Singla |
|
INC | ||
| 14. | Jagjit Singh |
|
INC | ||
| 15. | Jasjit Singh Randhawa |
|
INC | ||
| Ministers of State | |||||
| 16. | Rakesh Pandey |
|
INC | ||
| 17. | Gurkanwal Kaur |
|
INC | ||
| 18. | Hira Raj Josan |
|
INC | ||
Major decisions
Agricultural diversification committee
The government appointed agricultural economist S. S. Johl to head the Committee on Reorganising Agriculture and Diversification. The committee examined ways for Punjab to reduce its dependence on the wheat-paddy cycle and create links between agriculture and industry.
Industrial revival
A committee headed by former Chief Secretary Ajit Singh Chatha was established to examine the revival of industries in Punjab.
Administrative reforms
The government announced measures aimed at reducing corruption, including proposals requiring elected representatives to declare their assets.