Nirmala Sitharaman takes charge as finance minister

Nirmala Sitharaman assumed charge as the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs in New Delhi today. She expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving her the opportunity to work as the Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister again.

After assuming charge, the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs was briefed on the ongoing policy issues by the secretaries of the different departments of the Ministry of Finance & Corporate Affairs.

She noted that the government is fully committed to ensuring ‘Ease of Living’ for its citizens and will continue to take further steps in this regard.

Sitharaman also stated that the reforms undertaken since 2014 will continue, which will further provide macroeconomic stability and growth for India. She also highlighted India's commendable growth story in recent years amidst global challenges and noted that there is an optimistic economic outlook for the coming years.

She urged the departments to advance the NDA government's development agenda with renewed vigour and ensure responsive policymaking to achieve the Prime Minister's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'.

Union Finance Minister also said that the government believes in ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’ and called for the continued support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including industry leaders, regulators, and the citizens, to ensure a strong and vibrant economy.

Key portfolios remained unchanged under the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Newly elected Lok Sabha MP Piyush Goyal retained the ministry of commerce and industry.

Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh also retained their previous portfolios as home minister and defence minister respectively. Nitin Gadkari also retained his portfolio as minister of road transport and highways while S Jaishankar continues as minister of external affairs.

Ashwini Vaishnaw also continues as minister of railways and minister of electronics and information technology (MeitY). He has also been given addition portfolio of ministry of information and broadcasting.

Sarbananda Sonowal retained the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.