Nirmala Sitharaman takes charge of Finance Ministry

Before becoming the Defence Minister in the previous Modi government, Sitharaman served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. She was also Minister for Commerce and Industry with independent charge.

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: Nirmala Sitharaman has been assigned the important portfolio of Finance along with Corporate Affairs. With a slowing economy and rising unemployment, her job is clearly cut out. She would be presenting the Union Budget in July. Since she has already served as a junior Minister in Finance and Corporate Affairs earlier, it won't be difficult for her to get into action from day one. That she is a post-graduate in Economics will be an advantage. Before becoming the Defence Minister in the previous Modi government, Sitharaman served as the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. She was also Minister for Commerce and Industry with independent charge.

Ms Nirmala Sitharaman took over the charge as the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs in North Block in New Delhi today: pic.twitter.com/KPAFoSCp2q

— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) May 31, 2019

Prior to getting a ministerial berth after the BJP took power in 2014, Sitharaman served as a spokesperson for the party. Sitharaman has taken over the charge of Finance Ministry from Arun Jiatley, who has not been included in the current cabinet because of his health.