Meher Afroz Chumki made state minister

Awami League lawmaker Meher Afroz Chumki was sworn in as state minister for women and children affairs yesterday.
President Abdul Hamid administered the oath to her at Darbar Hall of the Bangabhaban at 5:00pm.
The position fell vacant after Shirin Sharmin Choudhury was elected Speaker of parliament on April 30.
Meher Afroz, daughter of AL leader Mayejuddin Ahmad who was killed during a demonstration against the autocratic rule of HM Ershad, was elected MP from Gazipur-5 constituency in the last general election.
Until her induction into the council of ministers yesterday, she was at the helm of the parliamentary standing committee on the women and children affairs ministry.
Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the oath-taking ceremony.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, several MPs and high-ranking civil and military officials were present at the ceremony.
Talking to journalists afterwards, Meher Afroz sought everyone's blessings so that she could be successful in her new assignment with honesty and efficiency.
She said it is not possible to fulfil all the expectations [of people]. "But I'll discharge my duties properly," she added.

President Abdul Hamid administers oath to newly appointed State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki at Bangabhaban in the capital yesterday while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina looks on. Photo: PMO