Jaitley returns as FM

NEW DELHI, Aug 23: Union Minister Arun Jaitley today resumed charge of the Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs after a nearly 100-day gap during which he underwent a surgery for kidney transplant.
Jaitley, 65, who had stopped attending office a month-and-half before the May 14 renal surgery, came to North Block — from where the Minister for Finance and corporate affairs works — at 11 am in his white Tata Safari accompanied by his personal staff.
Attired in formal trousers and wearing a characteristic smile, Jaitley went straight to his first-floor office, which have been renovated and sanitised to suit his present condition.
He was greeted by a host of officials and his deputies. He acknowledged them with folded hands and also waived at people waiting for him.
Jaitley started work after getting a clearance from his doctors, official sources said.
He met senior officials in both the Ministries including Finance Secretary Hashmukh Adhia as also the chairpersons of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC).
The hour-long meeting was also attended by Expenditure Secretary A N Jha, Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar and Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas.
“Had meeting with Secretaries in North Block, August 23, 2018,” Jaitley later tweeted, attaching three pictures.
Sources said doctors have advised him to cut his public interaction to the minimum to protect him from contracting any infection.
His son Rohan Jaitley was seen around the North Block office.
The limited visitors to his room were required to be sanitised so curb the risk of spreading infection.
Jaitley was in office for around two-and-half-hours before returning home.
Earlier in the day, a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, “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 Arun Jaitley.”
His return was welcomed by several leaders.
I&B Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore tweeted: “As he resumes charge at @FinMinIndia and Ministry of Corporate Affairs, a warm welcome to @arunjaitley ji. Gladdened by his recovery from surgery, and wishing him many healthy years ahead in the service of the nation.” (PTI)

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