By IANS,
Chandigarh : Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal expanded his cabinet Monday by inducting Akali Dal leader Sewa Singh Sekhwan as a cabinet minister.
Sekhwan was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Punjab Governor S.F. Rodrigues at the Raj Bhavan here.
Sekhwan was elected legislator from the Kahnuwan assembly seat in Gurdaspur district August this year in a by-election.
He had been a minister in the previous Badal government (1997-2002) as well.
The Badal government now has 18 ministers, including the chief minister.
The slot had fallen vacant after minister Kanwaljit Singh died in a road accident in March this year.
The chief minister and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, and other leaders were present at the swearing in ceremony.
Later, the chief minister administered the oath of office and secrecy to Sohan Singh Thandal as chief parliamentary secretary at a ceremony at the Punjab civil secretariat.