As Jaitley Recovers, Piyush Goyal to take Addl Charge of Fin Ministry

New Delhi: Finance minister Arun Jaitley underwent a kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Monday morning. With him expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks, railways minister Piyush Goyal will be given additional charge of the finance ministry, a top government source confirmed to Business Standard.
The surgery was successful, stated AIIMS, with both recipient and donor “recovering well”. Jaitley, 65, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday.
Jaitley had been unwell since early April, with kidney-related problems and chest infection. He was admitted to AIIMS last month and released later; he has been undergoing regular dialysis since.
“The doctors will keep him under observation before deciding the further course of action,” said a member of Jaitley’s staff. Doctors from AIIMS say the minister could take at least six to eight weeks for full recovery.