Balram Jakhar

Balram Jakhar Biography

Balram Jakhar is a senior politician and former parliamentarian from Abohar, Punjab. He is associated with Indian National Congress and served as the Central Agriculture minister in 1991 in P. V. Narasimha Rao Ministry. He was Governor of Madhya Pradesh state for a term of 5 years from 2004 to 2009. His contribution to the establishment of Parliament Museum is well known and he has also promoted Parliament library, reference, research, documentation and information services. He served as Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1989 and during this tenure he established automation and computerization of Parliamentary works. He has been elected to both Punjab state assembly as well as Lok Sabha twice.

He was born in Panchkosi village of Fazilka district, Punjab in 1923. Both his brothers were also associated with politics. Jakhar completed graduation in Sanskrit from Lahore and is proficient in English, Punjabi, Urdu, Sanskrit and Hindi languages. Associated with politics, he got elected to Punjab state assembly for the first time in 1972, where he served as an MLA for a term of 5 years. He was re-elected to state assembly in 1977 and served as the leader of opposition. By that time he became a major figure of state politics.

In 1980 he contested for seventh Lok Sabha from Ferozepur where he got elected. Following the death of Indira Gandhi, he got re-elected to Lok sabha from Sikhar and during both these tenures he served as Lok sabha speaker. During his long term of 9 years as Lok sabha speaker, he brought in several automations and developments in parliament activities including computerization of Parliamentary works. He was first Asian to be elected as Chairman of Commonwealth Parliamentarian Executive Forum. In 1991 he became a cabinet minister of P. V. narasimha Rao, where he served Agriculture portfolio. He is also associated with agriculture and horticulture and has been recognized by several awards for his contributions to this field.

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Updated: January 04, 2016