Former chief secy Kundal inducted into J&K cabinet

After facing stiff opposition from senior Congress leaders from the Jammu region, B R Kundal, the former chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday finally made it to the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Kundal was sworn in on Thursday evening by Governor Lieutenant General (retired) S.K Sinha at the lawns of the Raj Bhavan.

Kundal's portfolio was not decided but according to sources he is likely to get the high-profile power development department.

Kundal put in his papers on Saturday, but even after  the decks were cleared for his induction into the cabinet but stiff opposition from senior Congress leaders from Jammu forced the cancellation of his swearing in last week.

The state cabinet will meet in Srinagar soon to decide on his replacement as chief secretary.

S S Kapoor, an Indian Administrative Service officer of 1974 batch who is presently the state home commissioner, is tipped to succeed Kundal.