Former Punjab Minister and senior congress leader Joginder Singh Mann on Friday took over the charge as Chairman of the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) here in the presence of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Sunil Jakhar, several MLAs and other senior leaders of Congress.PPCC President Jakhar, while congratulating Mann on his new appointment, recalled the outstanding services rendered by him for strengthening the party at the grassroots level besides championing the cause of underprivileged sections of the society. He said that during his long political career spanning over five decades Mann has served the party and people of the state in various capacities. He hoped that the PAIC would be immensely benefitted from the leadership and visionary approach of Mann to implement the state government’s ambitious plan to further promote agro-based industries across Punjab in order to supplement the income of the farmers.Expressing gratitude to the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for shouldering a responsibility on him, Mann said that he would serve the organisation with best of his capacities and capabilities so as to steer PAIC to the new heights of glory. He assured the Chief Minister that he would discharge his responsibilities and duties as Chairman with utmost dedication, sincerity and commitment.Pertinently, a senior Congress leader, Mr. Mann had represented Phagwara assembly segment in Punjab Vidhan Sabha thrice in 1985, 1992 and 2002. Mann also served as minister in the Council of Ministers led by former Chief Ministers Late Beant Singh and Harcharan Singh Brar besides Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Captain Amarinder Singh.Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included former Chief Minister and Vice Chairperson Punjab State Planning Board Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Chairman Punjab State Technical Education Board Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Chairman Punjab State Warehousing Corporation Dr. Raj Kumar Verka, Chairman Punjab Punseed Corporation Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLAs Navtej Singh Cheema, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Gurpreet Singh GP, Santokh Singh Bhalaipur, Sukhpal Singh Bhullar, Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Rajinder Beri, Dharamvir Agnihotri, Lakhvir Singh Lakha and Jalandhar Mayor Jagdish Raj Raja.