1996 - 97 Member, Eleventh Lok Sabha June 1996 - March 1998 Union Cabinet Minister, Steel and Mines April 2008 Elected to Rajya Sabha May 2008 - 2014 Leader, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Rajya Sabha May 2008 - Sept. 2009 Member, Committee on Subordinate Legislation May 2008 - May 2009 and Aug. 2009 - Aug. 2010 Member, Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture May 2008 - May 2009 and Sept. 2009 - 2014 Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas July 2008 - May 2009 and Jan. 2010 - 2014 Member, Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change Aug. 2009 - Sept. 2011 Member, Committee on Public Undertakings Sept. 2009 - 2014 Member, Committee on Government Assurances Oct. 2009 - 2014 Member, General Purposes Committee Aug. 2010 - Sept. 2012 Member, Committee on External Affairs May 2012 - 2014 Member, Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes Oct. 2012 - 2014 Member, Committee on Commerce Dec. 2012 - 2014 Member, Court of the Assam University June 2019 Elected to Rajya Sabha General Secretary, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP); led the Government delegation to African Summit, held at Cameroon and canvassing for Indian permanent membership for Security Council at UNO, 1996; President, Weightlifting Federation of India; Vice-President, Indian Olymic Association (IOA); Chairman, Ethics Commission; Vice-Chairman, Games Village, Commonwealth Games, New Delhi, 2010; Chef de Mission, (i) Indian Team, Asian Indoor Games, Vietnam, 2009 and (ii) Indian Council, Tokyo Olympics; Member, Executive Board, International Weightlifting Federation