Arun Jaitley opts out of Modi Cabinet

NEW DELHI: Just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony tomorrow, outgoing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has decided not to take up any active responsibility in the new government due to his poor health.In a letter to the Prime Minister, Jaitley said he had orally informed Modi about his desire to not be a part of the new BJP government so that it enabled him to concentrate on his treatment and health. "I am writing to you to formally request you that I should be allowed a reasonable time for myself, my treatment and my health, and therefore, not be a part of any responsibility, for the present, in the new government," Jaitley said in his letter. I have today written a letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a copy of which I am releasing: https://t.co/8GyVNDcpU7— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) 1559115812000 It may be recalled that earlier in January, just ahead of the Interim Budget, Piyush Goyal was appointed interim finance minister, while Arun Jaitley was undergoing treatment in the US. There were speculations about who would lead the finance ministry in the Modi government's second term. Jaitley, one of the top three leaders in the BJP and the government, after Modi and party President Amit Shah, was not seen at the celebrations at BJP headquarters on the Lok Sabha elections result day. He has not been seen in public for at least two weeks but has been publishing blogs and messages on social media.Jaitley, a lawyer-turned politician, often acted as chief troubleshooter in the Modi government. In the past five years, Jaitley steered through parliament major economic legislation such as a Goods and Services Tax (GST) - which had languished for nearly two decades - and has defended controversial policies for the government.Modi had given him the responsibility of three ministries when he first took office in 2014, finance, defence and information and broadcasting ministries.A diabetic, Jaitley's health issues became worse after he had a kidney transplant in May last year. He also had to skip the interim budget in February when he was in hospital in the US.The new finance minister will have huge task ahead to revive the economy as the economy is showing signs of a slowdown after three consecutive years of 7% plus growth rates and the next finance minister is expected to seek to provide some economic stimulus without blowing the lid off the nation's fiscal deficit.

from Economic Times http://bit.ly/2I5oKmu
via IFTTT