Bebi Devi takes oath as minister in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Former Jharkhand Minister Jagarnath Mahto's wife Bebi Devi was sworn-in as a minister in the Hemant Soren-led UPA government in Jharkhand on Monday.

Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered the oath of office and secrecy to her at a programme in Raj Bhawan.

The chief minister and other cabinet ministers were also present at the event.

A ministerial berth in the Hemant Soren cabinet fell vacant after the death of Jagarnath Mahto, who held the charge of School Education and Literacy and Excise.

Mahto, who was a four-time JMM MLA from Dumri in Giridih district, died during treatment at a Chennai hospital on April 6 after prolonged illness due to Covid-19 complications.

Devi is the second JMM leader in the incumbent UPA governme, to become a minister before being elected to the Assembly.

Earlier, Hafizul Ansari was sworn-in as minister on February 6, 2021. Later, he won the Madhupur by-poll on May 2, 2021.