Virbhadra Singh

Virbhadra Singh
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Incumbent
Assumed office May 28, 2009
Prime Minister	Manmohan Singh
Preceded by	Ram Vilas Paswan
Constituency	Mandi
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh
In office April 8, 1983 – March 5, 1990
Preceded by	Thakur Ram Lal
Succeeded by	Shanta Kumar
Constituency	Rohru
In office December 3, 1993 – March 24, 1998
Preceded by	Shanta Kumar
Succeeded by	Prem Kumar Dhumal
Constituency	Rohru
In office March 6, 2003 – December 30, 2007
Preceded by	Prem Kumar Dhumal
Succeeded by	Prem Kumar Dhumal
Constituency	Rohru
Personal details
Born	June 23, 1934 Sarahan, Shimla
Political party	Indian National Congress
Spouse	Pratibha Singh
Residence(s)	Padam Palace, Rampur Bushahr, Shimla district

Virbhadra Singh (born June 23, 1934) is the current Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of the Republic of India. He became the Union Minister of MSME of the United Progressive Alliance government, led by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on June 21, 2010 .His portfolio was changed from Ministry of Steeel to MSME. He was also a five-time Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh state, from 1983 to 1990, from 1993 to 1998 and from 2003 to 2007. He is a member of the Indian National Congress.

Early life

Virbhadra Singh : One of the seniormost MP of the 15th Lok Sabha, was elected for first time in 1962. He has been elected to the Lok Sabha five times and the Himachal Pradesh assembly seven times. He was born on June 23, 1934 as the successor of the King of Bushahr State, Sir Padam Singh K.C.S.I. at Sarahan Bushahr the summer capital & abode of Maa Shree Bhima Kali. It is situated at the height of 8 thousand feet above the sea level, in the home of then Rajmata Smt. Shanti Devi & Raja Bushahr Sir Padam Singh K.C.S.I. He succeeded his father as the 122nd king of Bushahr in 1947 at the age of 13.

As a very hardworking & people loving boy, he received his early education in Colonel Browney School Derhradun & Bishop Cotton School Shimla. He passed his graduation ( B.A. Hons.) from St. Stephens College Delhi & Post graduation in History securing First Division from the Delhi University.

He married Princess Ratna Kumari, the daughter of Raja Jubbal Shree Digvijay Chandra I.C.S. & honorary Under Secretary in Foreign Ministry office, in the then Nehru Government on June 2, 1954 at Jubbal House in new Delhi . He was blessed with one son & five daughters from Rani Ratna Kumari but the son & one daughter died later on. The four surviving daughters are Princess Abhilasha, Jyotsna, Anuradha & Meenakshi. Princess Abhilasha is married to prince Prithvinder Singh of Gohel, Ahemdabad,Gujrat & Princess Jyotsana is married to Prince Rajeev Singh of Kashipur, Utter Pradesh.

He again married to Princess of Keonthal (Junga) Princess Prathibha Singh and got blessed with one daughter & son. After seven years of married life at the age of 25 years on 15 Aug. 1961, He got the membership of Indian National Congress. At that time Smt. Indira Gandhi was the President of Indian National Congress. In Himachal Pradesh there was only Territorial Council under the Governorship of Raja Bajrang Bahadur Singh Bhadri, which had 41 members only, out of which 22 members belong to INC &19 opposition members.

Young Virbhadra was advised to fight the election of Territorial Council. At that time, Dr. Y.S. Parmar was an advocate in Supreme Court of India & Mr. Shivanand Ramoul was the sitting M.P. Under his chairmanship On 9 Dec. 1961 HPCWC's meeting was called to discuss the Parliamentary election of 1962 in Delhi, so young Raja took leave on 8th Dec. 1961 from Dehradoon to Delhi to participate in the meeting of HPCWC being held at Ambassador Hotel New Delhi.

The then M.P. Mr. Shivanand Ramoul presided over the meeting & leaders of the state –Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Smt. Satyavati Daang, Thakur karam Singh, Hardyal Singh, Smt. Leela Devi & Sh. C.L. Verma participated in the meeting. Next day Mr. B.R. Sharma the political secretary of he asked Smt. Kamla Sharma the then renowned leader to talk to Smt. Indira Gandhi & she asked to send her a copy of the bio-data of young Raja. Smt. Indira Gandhi recollected He's appealing personality whom she had already met in Sarahan the Summer Capital of Bushahr State & abode of Maa Shree Bhima Kali during her visit as the Chairperson of All India Social Welfare Commission.

So his bio-data was forwarded to Congress's Central Selection Committee members like Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sh. Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Sh. V.K. Krishna Menon & Sh. Jagjeevan Rao .On fourth day Smt. Kamla Sharma said that Congress Central Selection Committee will consider his candidature after formal recommendations of State Selection Committee. So along with Mr. B.R. Sharma his political Secretary He arrived at Shimla on 13 th Dec. 1961 to participate in PCC meeting at The Mall Shimla . Eight candidates were interested but Mr. Mohan Lal Aukta of Jubbal, the then General Secretary of HPCC purposed His name HPCC president Mr. C.L. Verma supported & a nine members list was forwarded to Central Selection Committee.

At that time Mahasu Parliamentary Constituency comprises Nine Legislative Constituencies like – Kinnour, Rampur Bushahr, Kumarsain, Theog, Jubbal, Kotkhaee, Rohru, Rajgarh etc.

He was regularly Elected Member of the Lok Sabha in 1962, 1967 1972 & 1976 from Mahasu Parliamentary Constituency & in 1980 from Mandi Parliamentary Constituency of Himachal Pradesh.

He is Honorary Captain rank holder in the Indian Army, which was awarded by the then President of India Dr. S. Radha Krishanan. He remained ADC to Dr. S. Radha Krishanan the President of India. He was the Member of top level Indian Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1976.

He remained Deputy Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, from December 1976 to March 1977.

He was the youngest member of Parliament in the 3rd Indian Parliament & was the member of the assessment committee to the Lok Sabha He remained Minister of State for Industries, Government of India, from September 1982 to April, 1983.

Beside politics he remained associated with various Cultural & Social Organizations too. He remained President, Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan and Friends of Soviet Union Society (H.P.State Branch).

On 5 October 1983 he first time elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Jubbal-Kotkhai Constituency in a by-election and again in 1985 he won election again from Jubbal-Kotkhai in the general elections.

he first time became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 8 April 1983 to 5 March 1990. He Elected from a nearby Rohru Constituency in February, 1990 for state legislative assembly. He remained President State Congress Committee from February 1992 to September 1994. He won again from Rohru Constituency in November, 1993 and assumed Chief Minister ship of the State once again on 3 December 1993 to 24 March 1998 and again elected to State Assembly in 1998.

He also remained the leader of the opposition & Leader of the Congress Legislative Group in the H.P. state Assembly. He again won from Rohru Constituency in February 2003 and assumed the office of Chief Minister on 6 March 2003.

He has traveled all over the world. His favorite place to spend holidays are in Himachal Pradesh is Sarahan his birth place .His favorite time pass is reading books, Favorite food is a local dish "Mash Ki Dal & Baturu". He performs Puja in the morning daily and at Sarahan on Every Ashtami during Navratra festival.

Beside reading & traveling his special interest is in meeting people of different places, to understand their problems & solving them as soon as possible. He is known as Gareevon Ka Maseeha in Himachal Pradesh .

He is called Gareevon Ka Maseeha because public grievances are heard by him directly & He keeps direct contact with the Public

Political career

After seven years of married life at the age of 25 years on 15 August 1961, Vir Bhadra Singh got the membership of Indian National Congress. At that time Smt. Indira Gandhi was the President of Indian National Congress. In Himachal Pradesh there was only Territorial Council under the Governorship of Raja Bajrang Bahadur Singh Bhadri, which had 41 members only, out of which 22 members belong to INC &19 opposition members. Vir Bhadra Singh was advised to fight the election of Territorial Council. At that time Dr. Y.S. Parmar was an advocate in Supreme Court of India & Mr. Shivanand Ramoul was the sitting M.P. Under his chairmanship on 9 Dec. 1961 HPCWC's meeting was called to discuss the Parliamentary election of 1962 in Delhi, so Vir Bhadra Singh took leave on 8 th Dec. 1961 from Dehradoon to Delhi to participate in the meeting of HPCWC being held at Ambassador Hotel New Delhi.

The then M.P. Mr. Shivanand Ramoul presided over the meeting & leaders of the state –Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Smt. Satyavati Daang, Thakur karam Singh, Sh. Hardyal Singh, Smt. Leela Devi & Sh. C.L. Verma participated in the meeting. Next day Mr. B.R. Sharma the political secretary of Vir Bhadra Singh asked Smt. Kamla Sharma the then renowned leader to talk to Smt. Indira Gandhi & she asked to send her a copy of the bio-data of young Raja. Smt. Indira Gandhi recollected Raja Saheb's appealing personality whom she had already met in Sarahan the Summer Capital of Bushahr State & abode of Maa Shree Bhima Kali during her visit as the Chairperson of All India Social Welfare Commission.

So his bio-data was forwarded to Congress's Central Selection Committee members like Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sh. Lal Bahadur Shashtri, Sh. V.K. Krishna Menon & Sh. Jagjeevan Rao .On fourth day Smt. Kamla Sharma said that Congress Central Selection Committee will consider his candidature after formal recommendations of State Selection Committee. So along with Mr. B.R. Sharma his political Secretary Vir Bhadra Singh arrived at Shimla on 13 Dec. 1961 to participate in Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee office at The Mall Shimla to participate in the state meeting. Eight candidates were interested but Mr. Mohan Lal Aukta of Jubbal, the then General Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee purposed Vir Bhadra Singh's name president Mr. C.L. Verma supported and a nine-member list was forwarded to Central Selection Committee.

At that time Mahasu Parliamentary Constituency comprised nine legislative constituencies: Kinnour, Rampur Bushahr, Kumarsain, Theog, Jubbal, Kotkhaee, Rohru, Rajgarh etc.

Vir Bhadra Singh regularly Elected Member of the Lok Sabha in 1962, 1967 & 1972 from Mahasu Parliamentary Constituency

He also won the Parliamentary election in 1980 & 1983 from Mandi Parliamentary Constituency of Himachal Pradesh.

Achievements in Union Govt

Vir Bhadra Singh is Honorary Captain rank holder in the Indian Army, which was given by the then President of India Dr. S. Radha Krishanan. He remained ADC to Dr. S. Radha Krishanan the President of India. He was the Member of top level Indian Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1976;

Vir Bhadra Singh remained Deputy Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, from December 1976 to March 1977.

Vir Bhadra Singh was the youngest Member of Parliament in the 3rd Indian Parliament & was the member of the assessment committee to the Lok Sabha. He remained Minister of State for Industries, Government of India, from September 1982 to April 1983.

Raja Saheb became the sole winner of Congress as a MP from Mandi constituency of Himachal Pradesh. He defeated Mr. Maheswar Singh of BJP with margin of 10000 plus votes. Looking at his victory, importance, political weight and as a face of Aam Aadmi He was sworn on as Union Minister of Steel in current UPA Govt.

Socio-cultural achievements

Beside politics Vir Bhadra Singh remained associated with various Cultural & Social Organizations too. He remained President, Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan and Friends of Soviet Union Society (H.P.State Branch).

Vir Bhadra Singh's Achievements in the State:-

On 5 October 1983 Vir Bhadra Singh first time elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Jubbal-Kotkhai Constituency in a by-election and again in 1985 Vir Bhadra Singh won election again from Jubbal-Kotkhai in the general elections.

Vir Bhadra Singh first time became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 8 April 1983 to 5 March 5, 1990. He got elected from a nearby Rohru Constituency in February, 1990 for state legislative assembly. He remained President State Congress Committee from February 1992 to September 1994. Won again from Rohru Constituency in November, 1993 and assumed Chief Minister ship of the State once again on 3 December 1993 to 24 March 1998 and again elected to State Assembly in 1998. He also remained the leader of the opposition & Leader of the Congress Legislative Group in the H.P. state Assembly. He again won from Rohru Constituency in February 2003 and assumed the office of Chief Minister on 6 March 6, 2003.

MANDI CONSTITUENCY

• 4th Lok Sabha was desolved & on 25 Jan. 1971 H.P. became the 18th state of Indian Union.Member of Parliament from H.P. was curtailed from 6 to 4 by the delimitations committee.
• In this election congress led by Sh. Jagjivan Ram & communist by Nijlingappa. Lok Raj Party & two independent candidates viewed for honor & Virbhadra Singh of congress led by Sh. Jagjeeven Ram came out with triumphant, rest all lost their security deposits.
• In 1980 he was elected as M.P. from Mandi Parliamentary constituency.
• In 2009 he again was elected as M.P. from Mandi Parliamentary Constitutuecy.

ACHIEVEMENT IN UNION GOVERNMENT

• ADC to the then president of India Sh. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

• A Rank of army Captain was offered to Vir Bhadra Singh.

• Nominated as a member to a top level United Nations Delegation New York

• Deputy minister Tourism & Civil Aviation in central cabinet in 1977.

• Minister of State for Industries in 1980 & member to Assessment committee to Lok Sabha.

• The youngest Member of Parliament in 3rd Indian Parliament.

• Sworn in as Union Minister for Steel on 28 May 2009.

• Supports 26% of mining profite to be shared with the local inhibitants of the mining area.

• Supports better relationship between communities & industry for growth.

• Big projects like POSCO & KOBE Steel initited under his leadership.

• Taking initiative to set up steel plants in India which can produce steel from low quality irion ore.

• Many awards bagged by SAIL under his leardship from Sep 2009 onwards.

• SAIL dealers network multiplied nationwide under his leadership.

• A Target of 124 million tonnes steel production set under his leadership.

ACHIEVEMENT IN STATE GOVERNMENT

• President HP congress Committee in 1977,1979,1980.

• Elected MLA from Rohru constituency continuously in 1983,1985,1989,1993,1998 & 2003.

• Became the Chief-Minister of Himachal Pradesh on April 8, 1983 for the first time & thereafter in, 1985, 1993, 1998, & 2003.

• A record of More than 500 Rallies & Public Meetings alone during 14th Parliamentary Elections in May 2004 & won three Parliament Seats from H.P.

IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN STATE

• Himachal Bagged No. 1 Socio Progressive State of India ranking during his regime.

• Himachal also became No. 2 in Education in India.

• A record 15% rise registered in primary education during his regime during 1993 to 1998.

• Support price for Perishable Fruits- Apples & other stone fruits.

• Power- He insured 25% equity participation & 12% free power from NJPC & this project has been commissioned & Now He insured 30% equity participation from other power projects of Himachal Pradesh.

• Effective steps taken against the forest mafia & committed to save the forests & environment.

• Public grievances & problems are heard,keeps direct contact with the public & known as the MASIHA of Public .

• Emotional integration by bridging the gap between the old & new Himachal Pradesh.

• Education & Health - there has been tremendous expansion of educational institutions hospitals during his Chief –Ministership.

• Women Empowerment- Mahila Mandals & Vocational Training Centers opened in villages.
• He set up Carton Factory which facilitated the Horticulturists of the State.
• Employment- Creating employment opportunities for the youth of the State in Govt. & organized Sector.
• Social Sector- This sector has got utmost priority. 48% of the total annual plan budget is being spent on this Vital sector. 2 Lac persons are being provided social security pension of Rs./- 200 per month out of these 28,000 persons had been sanctioned from 1st Jan.2003.

General election, 2009

In the general election, 2009, Virbhadra Singh was elected from the Mandi parliamentary constitency in Himachal Pradesh. The Five-time chief minister defeated his nearest rival Maheshwar Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by 13,997 votes. Virbhadra Singh bagged 340,973 votes and Maheshwar Singh got 326,976 votes. Pratibha Singh, the wife of Virbhadra Singh, had defeated Maheshwar Singh in the 2004 poll by 66,566 votes.This constituency saw the maximum voter turnout of 64 percent when the state went to the polls on May 13, 2009.