New Delhi: Taking charge of the defence ministry, Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday vowed to enhance the country’s military preparedness and ensure the welfare of soldiers.
Ms Sitharaman, 58, India’s first full-time woman defence minister, also listed defence indigenisation and resolving long-pending issues among her priorities.
She took charge of the key ministry in the presence of her predecessor Arun Jaitley. Indira Gandhi was the only other woman to hold the charge of the ministry, when she was the prime minister.
In a brief statement, Sitharaman resolved to work hard, saying she will be available round-the-clock to ensure that defence related issues are well attended to.
Immediately after assuming office, Ms Sitharaman approved a grant of over Rs 13 crore which will be released to 8,685 ex-servicemen, widows and dependants out of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. She also approved financial assistance out of Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Fund. “My priority will definitely be armed forces’ preparedness,” she said.
