Guwahati, July 12 (IANS) Paban Singh Ghatowar, a veteran Congress leader from Assam who was inducted into the central council of ministers Tuesday, is a tea garden leader from the northeast.

Ghatowar, 59, the new minister of state with independent charge of the Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), has represented the Dibrugarh parliamentary seat for five terms since 1991.

He became deputy minister, labour, in 1991, and then took charge as deputy minister, Health and Family Welfare, in 1993.

In 1995, his status was upgraded when he was inducted as union minister of state, health and family welfare.

Ghatowar was president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee in 2002. His wife Jibantara Ghatowar is a legislator in Assam.

Ghatowar joined the Congress in 1986 but was associated with the various trade unions during college days. He actively led the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, the apex union representing nearly 800-odd tea gardens in Assam.

• Self-obsessed people dont make good leaders
  
• TV shows encourage artist development: Kelly Clarkson
  
• Indian-origin political leader dies in South Africa
  
• Chinese leaders watch Peking Opera
  
• UAE greets world leaders on New Year
  
• India 2012 will be a story of enterprising Indians, mediocre leaders (Comment)
  
• Israel develops green pesticide