Pawan Kumar Bansal (born 16 July 1948) is an Indian National Congress politician, who was appointed as the interim treasurer in November 2020 and a former minister in the Manmohan Singh government.[1][2] He represented Chandigarh constituency in the 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014) of India. He served as Minister of Railways from 28 October 2012 to 10 May 2013.[3][4]
Pawan Kumar Bansal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Interim Treasurer of All India Congress Committee | |
| In office November 2020 – 1 Oct 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Patel |
| Succeeded by | Ajay Maken |
| Minister of Railways | |
| In office 28 October 2012 – 10 May 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Preceded by | C. P. Joshi |
| Succeeded by | C. P. Joshi |
| Minister of Parliamentary Affairs | |
| In office 28 May 2009 – 28 October 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Preceded by | Ghulam Nabi Azad |
| Succeeded by | Kamal Nath |
| Member of the Indian Parliament for Chandigarh | |
| In office 1999–2014 | |
| Preceded by | Satya Pal Jain |
| Succeeded by | Kirron Kher |
| In office 1991–1996 | |
| Preceded by | Harmohan Dhawan |
| Succeeded by | Satya Pal Jain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 July 1948 Sunam, East Punjab, India |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Madhu Bansal |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Residence | Chandigarh |
As of 28 May, 2009 | |
Early life
editBansal was born on 16 July 1948 in Sunam.[5] His family hailed from Tapa, Punjab.[6] He went to school at the Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, and did BSc from the Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh. He also holds an LLB degree from the Department of Law, Panjab University, Chandigarh.[7][8]
Career
editBansal has represented Chandigarh as a member of Parliament in the 10th, 13th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabha. He has worked as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and the Minister of Water Resources in the Second Manmohan Singh ministry. He also held the charge of the Minister of State for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs in the First Manmohan Singh Cabinet.
Railway Minister
editHe took over as the Railway Minister, becoming the first from his party since 1996. Soon after becoming Railways minister, he approved an increase in fares, which had been unchanged for the last 15 years, to allow the Indian Railways to be profitable. He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections from Chandigarh.[9] He contested his former constituency again in the next election but was once again defeated.
Railway Budget 2013
editThe 2013 Railway Budget focused on improving the condition of Indian Railways. Pawan Bansal came up with first ever rail link to connect Arunachal Pradesh.[10] Internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours as well as E-ticketing through mobile phones was made available.[11][12] Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to strengthen the security of rail passengers, especially women passengers.[13] Indian Railways has identified 104 stations for upgradation in cities with more than one million population and of religious significance. This means, these stations the Railways will give attention to all aspects related to cleanliness, according to the Budget highlights the government released.[14] 179 escalators and 400 lifts at A-1 and other major stations to be installed facilitating elderly and differently-able.[15]
Personal life
editHe is married to Madhu Bansal.[16] They have two sons.
Incident of corruption charges
editOn 3 May 2013, the CBI arrested his nephew, Vijay Singla, after they caught an aide counting two bags of cash. After the scam came to light in May, the CBI interrogated Pawan Kumar Bansal, for ten hours, but failed to find substantial evidence to nail him. In his statement, Bansal denied having any knowledge of his nephew's activities.[17]
CBI does not have any tapped conversation which shows that former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was involved in or had any knowledge of the Rs 10 crore cash for post bribery scandal, which prompted the agency not to make him an accused in the case, sources said here today.[18]
The CBI said that Mr Bansal will serve as prosecution witness. The judge has responded. "If the CBI has chosen to make Mr Bansal a witness, then at this juncture, there being no evidence against him, the court cannot pass any order or question him, except during the trial."[19]
References
edit- ^ "Ex-minister Pawan Bansal made Congress treasurer as interim measure". The Hindu. 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Former Chandigarh MP Pawan Bansal appointed as Congress treasurer". Tribune. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Biodata". www.archive.india.gov.in. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
- ^ "Ex-minister Pawan Bansal made Congress treasurer as interim measure". Times of India. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Detailed Profile: Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal". india.gove.in. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ "Residents hopeful from railway minister Pawan Bansal's maiden visit". The Times of India. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ "Biographical Sketch - Member of Parliament". Parliament of India. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ Detailed Profile - Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal - Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) - Who's Who - Government: National Portal of India Archived 30 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Election LIVE: BJP's third candidate list out, Ram Kripal to contest from Patliputra against Lalu's daughter". The Indian Express. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Business News Today: Read Latest Business news, India Business News Live, Share Market & Economy News". Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
- ^ "Rail Budget 2013: How Rail Minister made your life easier - Rediff.com".
- ^ "Untitled Page".
- ^ Hindustan Times
- ^ "Railway budget 2013-14: 67 express trains, 26 passenger trains introduced | CA NEXT STEP". Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ "Rail Budget 2013: Slew of passenger-friendly measures announced - The Economic Times". economictimes.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016.
- ^ "Railway minister's wife Madhu Bansal on Budget 2013". IndiaTV News. 25 February 2013.
- ^ "Pawan Kumar Bansal gets CBI clean chit as CBI files charge sheet". dna India. 3 July 2013.
- ^ "CBI gives clean chit to Pawan Kumar Bansal in railway bribery scandal". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ "NAT TOP Pawan Bansal is not off the Hook, Judge Slams CBI Clean Chit to Former Railway". daily.bhaskar.com.
External links
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Category:Railway Ministers of India