News Politics National B'day Special: Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab

B'day Special: Prakash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab

Parkash Singh Badal is the incumbent and longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab with over 15 years in office. He is also one of the wealthiest politicians of India. He has also served as the former

In 2007 Punjab Assembly Elections, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP coalition government won 67 out of 117 seats and Parkash Singh Badal was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the fourth time.

He held 10 portfolios including ministries for Home, Housing & Urban Development, Excise & Taxation, Power, Personnel, General Administration, Vigilance, Employment, Legal & Legislative Affairs and NRIs Affairs. Badal launched many schemes such as free ambulance service, Talwandi Sabo thermal plant, etc.

Through a new transportation policy, he reduced taxes on air conditioned buses, making it less expensive for companies to operate luxury buses.

In the 2012 elections, SAD and BJP jointly won 68 seats out of 117. Prakash Singh Badal again became the CM on 14 March 2012 after being sworn in by the Governor of Punjab, Shivraj Patil.