Son of late Shri Lal Singh; born on May 29, 1948 at village Majharnu (Jogindernagar), Distt. Mandi; B.A., LL.B.; educated at Punjab University, Chandigarh; married to Smt. Hima Devi; one son and three daughters; Advocate.

        Active member of various organizations during College years; elected to Legislative Assembly in 1977 on Janata Party ticket; joined Congress Party in 1980; was re-elected to the Assembly in 1982(Independent), 1990, 1993 and 1998 as Congress Party nominee .

        Recipient of Vijaya Shree Award given by the International Friendship Society of India, 1986. Remained Member: H.P. State Land Reforms Committee, DRUC, Northern Railway, Social Audit Panel, Ministry of Communications, Govt. of India, National Institute of Rural Development; Director, F.C.I. (H.P.), 1985-88, and Himachal Gramin Bank , 1985-88; Chairman, Govt. Committee on payment of Ex-gratia grants to Smalland Marginal Farmers, and ii) Bar Council, Jogindernagar.

        Minister of State for Panchayats and Prison Welfare, 1979-80, Co-operation and Education, 1982-83, Civil Supplies and Co-operation, 1984-85; and Revenue Minister(Cabinet Rank) 1993-98; elevated to the Office of Speaker on March 30, 1998 and resigned from the Congress Party to remain un-attached. As Speaker, participated in various CPA and All India Annual Conferences of Presiding Officers from time to time.

        Elected to State Assembly for a sixth term (this time as Bhartiya Janata Party candidate); and inducted in the Council of Ministers as Minister for Public Works and Revenue on 09-01-2008.