Sunetra Pawar gets Excise, Sports ministries; Finance portfolio held by Ajit Pawar goes to CM Fadnavis

Sunetra Pawar, wife of deceased NCP president Ajit Pawar, was on Saturday sworn in as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The 62-year-old Pawar, who has resigned as Rajya Sabha MP, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Acharya Devvrat at a brief ceremony at the Lok Bhavan here.

Soon after her swearing-in, Sunetra was assigned state excise duty, Sports and Youth Welfare, Minorities Development & Aukaf departments. Late Ajit Pawar held all these ministries, and Finance, before his untimely death in a plane crash on 28 January.

The portfolios of Planning and Finance, which were assigned now being held by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, according to news agency ANI.

(This is a developing story. Check back for updates.