Arun Jaitley Meets His Five Secretaries; Reviews Action Plan For Next Budget
Even though various news agencies suggested Arun Jaitley unlikely to be a minister in new Modi govt and may travel overseas for treatment, he seems unperturbed. He holds meeting with his five secretaries on next budget. Officials present at the meeting said Jaitley was in good health and looked fit to join the cabinet of the NDA government's second tenure.
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Amid rumours of his ill health, the Finance Minister today met five secretaries of the finance ministry, including Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg, at his residence. Other top ministry officials who met Jaitley included Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management Atanu Chakraborty and Department of Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar.
There has been widespread speculation on whether Jaitley would continue as Finance Minister, given concerns about his health, though it was made clear that Modi would want to retain Jaitley in North Block.
Earlier, a report published in Reuters quoted unknown sources saying that Jaitley, 66, might not take up the offer to continue as the Finance Minister due to his health, which has deteriorated in the past couple of months. PTI also reported on Jaitley's ill health saying he may be flown off to overseas for further treatment.
As the BJP swept to power with a spectacular performance for a second term, all eyes are now on government formation, amid speculation that several new faces including party president Amit Shah may be brought into the new cabinet as the new Finance Minister.
The swearing-in of the new government is expected next week, and the decision on ministerial posts rests with Modi.
The council of ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tendered their resignation which was accepted by President Ram Nath Kovind, paving way for formation of new government.