New Delhi, Jan. 31 -- Sunetra Pawar, wife of deceased NCP president Ajit Pawar, was on Saturday sworn in as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

The 62-year-old Pawar, who has resigned as Rajya Sabha MP, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Acharya Devvrat at a brief ceremony at the Lok Bhavan here.

Soon after her swearing-in, Sunetra was assigned state excise duty, Sports and Youth Welfare, Minorities Development & Aukaf departments. Late Ajit Pawar held all these ministries, and Finance, before his untimely death in a plane crash on 28 January.

The portfolios of Planning and Finance, which were assigned now being held by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, according to news agency ANI.

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