Back In Business: Arun Jaitley To Resume Duties As Finance Minister Effective Immediately

Arun Jaitley, after a month-long recovery period following surgery in the US, has resumed his duties as the Union Finance Minister effective immediately, reports Reuters.

“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed to assign the portfolios of the Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs to Shri Arun Jaitley," a government release noted.

Jaitley also attended the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security today (15 February) that was convened to take stock of the national security situation following the Pulwama terrorist attack.

“Attack on CRPF in Pulwama, J&K is cowardice & a condemnable act of terrorists. Nation salutes martyred soldiers and we all stand united with families of martyrs. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Terrorists will be given unforgettable lesson for their heinous act,” Jaitley said in a tweet.

Illness

Jaitley had undergone a surgery in New York in January 2019 and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal took over the additional charge of finance ministry as an interim measure. Likewise, Goyal presented the NDA government's last budget on 1 February.

It has also been reported that he may have been tested for soft tissue cancer. Jaitley also took a similar haitus due to health reasons in August 2018.

Also Read: Eighteen Months Of The GST