Arun Jaitley takes over as Defence Minister

NEW DELHI (INDIA): India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took over additional charge as Defence Minister, a dual position he had held for around six months in 2014.nnOn his arrival at the Ministry of Defence in South Block, Jaitley was received by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Defence Secretary Shri G Mohan Kumar and other senior officials.nnHe was given the charge of the Defence Ministry yesterday after Manohar Parrikar stepped down from the position to go back to Goa to become its Chief Minister.nnJaitley, one of the senior most ministers in the Modi cabinet, was in-charge of Defence Ministry between May 26 to November 9 in 2014, before Parrikar was brought in from Goa.nnA Rashtrapati Bhawan communique had yesterday said that as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Jaitley shall be assigned the charge of the Defence Ministry in addition to his existing portfolios.nnIt is not clear for how long Jaitley will keep the two key portfolios.