Ramanand Singh reinducted as minister after acquittal

Patna , Jan 30 Ramanand Prasad Singh, who had to quit the Nitish Kumar government last year barely days after being sworn-in on corruption charges, was today reinducted in the Cabinet as minister of state with independent charge within a week of his acquittal.
Singh was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor R L Bhatia at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his ministerial colleagues, Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Choudhary and top government officials.

No customary high tea followed the swearing-in ceremony due to the state mourning on account of the demise of former President R Venkatraman.

Later, speaking to reporters Kumar said Singh will be given the transport portfolio, which he held prior to his resignation in the wake of revelation that a vigilance case was pending against him.

" Singh had resigned on moral ground and now that he has been acquitted by the court, he has been reinstated and will be allotted the transport portfolio,"Kumar, who had yesterday announced his reinduction, said.

Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Parbatta, was acquitted last Saturday by Special Vigilance judge, Muzaffarpur, Ajit Kant Sharan, who held that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge against him beyond doubt.

" Singh stands acquitted in the case for want of evidence as the prosecution has failed to establish the charge beyond doubt,"the judge said.

Singh was accused of misappropriation of public money to the tune of Rs 46,000 in purchase of pipes when he was posted at the Kanti thermal power station near Muzaffarpur in 1990.

Source: PTI