Faggan Singh Kulaste

Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste (born 18 May 1959; ) is an Indian politician. He is a 7th term MP. He served as the Minister of State for Rural Development and Steel of India in the Government of India. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was sworn in as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel on 30 May 2019 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kulaste is elected as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha (2024–2029). He represents the Mandla constituency of Madhya Pradesh. He was also Minister of State in Modi government. He has previously been a member of the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th Lok Sabha.

He represented the Mandla Lok Sabha Parliamentary seat from 1996 to 2009. After losing in 2009 to Basori Singh Masram of Congress, he was elected to Rajya Sabha in 2012. He regained the seat in 2014 Lok Sabha, defeating his Congress rival Omkar Markam.

In 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Kulaste won with a margin of 103846 votes.

Early life Born in Barbati, District, Mandla (Madhya Pradesh), Faggan Singh Kulaste is married to Mrs. Savitri Kulaste. He has 3 daughters and 1 son.

Education Kulaste completed his post graduation MA., BEd and LL.B. He completed his early education from Mandla College, Dr. Hari Singh Gaur University, Sagar and Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh).

Positions held

Legislative

Union Minister of State, Ministry of Steel (2019 onwards) Union Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (July 2016 – Sept 2017) Union Minister of State, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Nov 1999 – May 2004) Union Minister of State, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (Oct – Nov 1999) Member of Legislative Assembly, Madhya Pradesh (1990–92)

Within BJP

National President : BJP Scheduled Tribes Morcha, 2004 & 2010 (two terms) General Secretary : BJP Madhya Pradesh 2006-2010 (two terms)

Non-political activities

Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad, Madhya Pradesh, 2000 National Secretary (In-charge) : BJP (ST Cell), 1996 State General Secretary (In-charge) : BJP (ST Cell), 1993 President : Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad, Madhya Pradesh, 1980 Patron : Akhil Bharatiya Gond Sangh since 1998

Social and cultural activities Kulaste has been working for the propagation of education in society; encouraging tribals to keep alive their cultural activities by forming several committees; founder and organiser of educational units; providing free education to the weaker sections of the society; established Babalia Development Block for the upliftment of Adivasis and promotion of education. According to him liquor is a tonic in the COVID-19 pandemic. He had inaugurated an oxygen plant.