Article Posted on : - Jul 06, 2016

Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence. Photo: india.gov.in.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, an oncologist and a first-time MP from Maharashtra, was on Tuesday appointed as the Minister of State for Defence.

He replaced Rao Inderjit Singh who has been made Minister of State for Planning (Independent Charge) and Urban Development Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.

Bhamre, born on September 11, 1953, defeated Amrish Patel of Congress to enter the Lok Sabha in 2014 elections from the Dhule constituency, bordering Gujarat. His constituency adjoins Jalgoan, the home turf of Khadse.

He has been offering free treatment to cancer patients.

He has conducted free multiple medical camps and surgeries. He organised public education speeches for cancer awareness and its early detection and prevention.

Bhamre is also known for visiting houses of financially weak cancer patients, who couldn't afford to visit hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

The 63-year-old BJP MP is a Member of the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare and also a Member of the Consultative Committee, Ministry of Railways. He is also member of the Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes.

Bhamre was among the 'non-political' personalities fielded by BJP in 2014 elections and registered a convincing victory over Patel as the Modi wave swept the constituency.

During his college days, Bhamre was the vice captain of Mumbai University's chess and basket ball teams.