Jaitley returns as finance minister after 3 months

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday returned to his office after a three-month gap during which he underwent a kidney transplant surgery.

Jaitley came to his North Block Office at 11 am in his own vehicle accompanied by his personal staff.

The 65-year-old Union Minister, attired in formal trousers and wearing a characteristic smile on his face, headed directly to his office which wore a new look after a fresh quote of paint and redesigning of ambience to suit his present condition. His office has been sanitised as the minister is still susceptible to infection. Doctors have advised him to cut his public interaction to the minimum.

Jaitley was on leave from office since April and undergone the surgery on May 14.

Earlier this morning, 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 Shri Arun Jaitley.” This made the first formal announcement of his return to office.

Later the finance ministry communicated to camerapersons of all media houses to be present at the North Block by 10.45 before the minister’s scheduled arrival. Braving rains in many parts of Delhi and NCR, most of the reporters too reached the venue. Jaitley was greeted by a host of officials and his deputies at the Gate No 2 of the North Block from where the minister makes his entry to his office. Jaitley entered with folded hands, he also waived at people waiting for him but did not communicate with anyone.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who held charge of his ministry during his absence, could not be seen at the venue.

Even while on leave, Jaitley remained active on social media and often wrote blogs on important issues of national interest and economy.

He also held video conferences with officials and addressed events from his home. At times a single event was addressed by both the ministers – Jaitley and Goyal – which puzzled many and prompted the opposition to ask who India's finance minister was.

Jaitley’s made his first public appearance was when he came to Parliament for a few hours to participate in the election for the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha early this month. Later he also participated in the prayer meeting organised after the death of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.