Ex-Education Minister Avtar Brar dies at 77

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, December 10

Former Education Minister Avtar Singh Brar (77) passed away at PGI, Chandigarh, today. After suffering brain haemorrhage, he was under treatment since November 22.

He is survived by his wife, son and daughter. The cremation will take place at Faridkot on Sunday. A three-time Congress MLA, he was born in Ghanie Wala village in the family of a small farmer Niranjan Singh. He rose from being a primary school teacher to a senior party leader in the state.

He had switched sides to join the ruling SAD in October 2013 due to political differences with Captain Amarinder Singh and Partap Singh Bajwa. Known for his closeness with former President Giani Zail Singh, Avtar Brar had won the Assembly elections from Faridkot in 1992, 1997 and 2007. He lost the 2012 election to SAD candidate Deep Malhotra. Brar remained Education Minister from 1992 to 1997.

Starting his political career as a trade unionist, Avtar Singh Brar had resigned from his teacher’s job to join the Congress in 1972. He was elected president of the District Congress Committee in 1972 under the guidance of Giani Zail Singh. He occupied this post till 1994.

On joining the Akali Dal in October 2013, the state government appointed Avtar Brar as Chairman, PRTC. Earlier, he had served as chairman, market committee, Kotkapura; Director, Markfed; Director, Central Cooperative Bank, Faridkot; and director, market committee, Kotkapura.