Ambika Soni takes over as Union Minister of I & B

Ambika Soni on Monday assumed office as the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Earlier in the XIVth Lok Sabha, she had held the office of Minister of Tourism and Culture. The Minister said that ensuring wide coverage of the Commonwealth Games, consensus on content code for news broadcasters and looking into the demands of print as well as electronic media would her priority. She said that she would partner with the media and representatives of all stakeholders to handle issues in as sensitive a manner as possible. “We will try to bring a harmonious working relationship to the benefit and advantage of all”  Soni added.

Mrs Soni was born on 13th November, 1943. In 1975 she made her political debut as the President of Indian Youth Congress. Later she was elected to the Rajya Sabha in March, 1976 and in 1988 she became President of All India Mahila Congress. She became the General Secretary of All India Congress Committee in the year 1999 and she held the post onwards. She was re-elected to Rajya Sabha in July 2004, serving various Parliamentary Committees. She later assumed office of Minister Tourism and Culture in the outgoing government.

Choudhory Mohan Jatua from All India Trinamool Congress and Dr. S.Jagathrakshakan from Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam also joined the Ministry today as Ministers of State. While Shri Jatua is an ex-IPS officer, Dr. S.Jagathrakshakan is a second time Member Parliament, having represented the State earlier in 13th Lok Sabha also.

 Jawahar Sircar assumed office as the New Secretary I&B. Sh. Sircar is a 1975 batch West Bengal cadre officer who is currently also holding the charge of Secretary, Ministry of Culture.