# Jeet Ram Katwal

Jeet Ram Katwal (born 17 May 1956) is an Indian politician and civil servant. He is member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly since 2017 from Jhanduta. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has a background in agriculture, horticulture and social work.

## Early life and education

Jeet Ram Katwal is the son of Smt. Sunehru Devi and the late Shri Rohli Ram Katwal. He completed his Master's in Political Science from Agra University, pursued an MBA, earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (PGJMC), and obtained certificates in Human Rights (CHR) and Computing (CIC) from IGNOU. His dedication to education laid the foundation for a multifaceted career.

## Personal life

Katwal is married to Smt. P. Angmo Katwal, and their family includes two daughters and one son.

## Civil Service Career

Jeet Ram Katwal began his career as a Telephone Operator in the P&T Department and later joined the General Insurance Corporation of India as an Assistant Administrative Officer. His journey in the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Service (HAS) commenced in 1986, and he was appointed to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2001.
As an HAS and IAS officer, Katwal held various pivotal positions, showcasing his administrative acumen. He served as SDM in Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, and Mandi Districts, Additional District Magistrate in Shimla, and Collector of Forest in Kullu. His contributions extended to roles such as Deputy Commissioner in Una and Additional Secretary/Special Secretary in departments like Home, Health, Education, General Administration, and more.
Katwal served as the Head of Departments for Ayurveda, Information & Public Relations, Youth Services & Sports, and several others, demonstrating his versatility in managing diverse portfolios. His roles as Managing Director included responsibilities at Himachal Pradesh Milk Federation, Himachal Pradesh Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation, and other key institutions.

## Political career

Post-retirement from the Himachal Pradesh government in May 2016, Jeet Ram Katwal joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 14 October 2017. His entry into politics marked a new phase of his commitment to public service.
In the December 2017 elections, Katwal was elected to the State Legislative Assembly. He became a member of various committees such as Human Development, Privileges, Ethics, and Library, Research & Reference Committees. His dedication and contributions continued, leading to his re-election in December 2022.

## Special Interests and Awards

Jeet Ram Katwal has diverse interests, including trekking, gardening, reading, and a love for old classical music. He is a member of the H.P. Rifle Association and has published a notable case study on sustainable plastic waste management.
He received the 'President Silver Medal' for outstanding performance in Census Operations in 2001, highlighting his commitment to excellence in public service.

## Travels and Languages

Katwal's international exposure includes representing India in South Korea as the Chairman of the Indian National Youth Delegation. He also served as the Liaison Officer for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet/China and undertook official visits to Sri Lanka. His language proficiency extends to Hindi, English, and Urdu.

## Electoral performance

2022 Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election : Jhanduta :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BJP | Jeet Ram Katwal | 28,268 | 46.72% | 6.35 |
| | INC | Vivek Kumar | 22,469 | 37.14% | 6.86 |
| | Independent | Raj Kumar Kaundal | 8,358 | 13.81% | New |
| | AAP | Sudhir Kumar Suman | 427 | 0.71% | New |
| | Rashtriya Devbhumi Party | Manoj Kumar | 282 | 0.47% | New |
| | NOTA | Nota | 246 | 0.41% | 0.73 |
| | BSP | Amar Nath | 245 | 0.40% | New |
| | Independent | Jitender Pal | 206 | 0.34% | New |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 5,799 | 9.58% | 0.51 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,501 | 74.71% | 0.88 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 80,977 | | 11.92 |
| | BJP hold | BJP hold | Swing | 6.35 | |
2017 Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election : Jhanduta :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | BJP | Jeet Ram Katwal | 29,030 | 53.07% | 4.16 |
| | INC | Beeru Ram Kishore | 24,068 | 44.00% | 2.35 |
| | NOTA | None of the Above | 624 | 1.14% | New |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 4,962 | 9.07% | 6.52 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,699 | 75.60% | 5.78 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 72,355 | | 7.69 |
| | BJP hold | BJP hold | Swing | | |