Minister of state for finance R K Kumar yesterday set at rest the controversy surrounding reports of his seeking independent charge of the departments of revenue, banking and insurance.
How is possible for me to hold independent charge. It would amount to having two Cabinet ministers (in the ministry of Finance), the minister said soon after he assumed charge in his North Block office early this morning. Fears had been expressed about giving independent charge to minister as this would amount a bifurcation of the ministry which would affect the budget making process.
My appointment will be according to the Presidential order which will be notified. You see for yourself and will be told when it happens, the minister said.
He added that he was a worker and a doing minister and believed in working rather than making media statements. Further, he added the broad policy direction was already indicated by finance minister Yashwant Sinha and the role of his departments was to implement these policies.
How can I have independent policies in a coalition government even if I represent the second largest block, he said. Kumar first called on the finance minister before taking charge as the minister of state ( Revenue, Banking and Insurance).
