Nirmala Sitharaman, who earlier held the Commerce and Industries portfolio in the government, took over charge as Defence Minister today.
“Immediately after assuming office, the Defence Minister approved a grant of over Rs 13 crore from the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund for 8685 ex-servicemen, widows and dependants,” the Ministry of Defence said.
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She also approved financial assistance from the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Fund, the ministry added.
Sitharaman is the country’s first full-time woman defence minister.
