Punjab CM to expand cabinet by including three ministers

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is all set to expland his cabinet with the induction of three minister.

Three SAD MLAs will be sworn in as cabinet ministers by Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil at the Raj Bhawan here tomorrow, an official spokesman said today.

Jathedar Tota Singh, Sohan Singh Thandal and Daljit Singh Cheema will be inducted into the state Council of Ministers, the spokesman said.

The expansion, first since the Badal government returned to power on March 3, 2012, is aimed at further streamlining the functioning of the government, he said.

Three berths of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) quota have been vacant after the resignations of former ministers Jagir Kaur, Tota Singh and Sarwan Singh Phillaur.

While Kaur and Singh are facing legal proceedings, Phillaur resigned recently after his son got embroiled in drug case.

At present, the strength of Badal cabinet is 15, including the Chief Minister and his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Earlier, SAD-BJP alliance was in power from 2007 to 2012.