Suranjit, Obaidul made ministers

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In a major political development, three new ministers were sworn in Monday night, report agencies. The new faces took oath as ministers are Awami League leaders Suranjit Sengupta, MP and Obaidul Quader MP State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud took oath as a full minister. With the swearing-in of the new ministers, the strength of the present cabinet rose to 45 from 43. President Zillur Rahman administered the oath at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban at about 8:15 pm. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present on the occasion. LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury were, among others, present at the function conducted by Cabinet Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan. Hassan was the state minister for environment and forests after he was shuffled from the foreign ministry as its junior minister. He was elected to parliament for the first time in last election from a Chittagong constituency. Senior politician Suranjit was adviser to prime minister Sheikh Hasina in her 1996-2001 term with the rank and status of a minister. Then Qader was the state minister for youth, sports and cultural affairs.