Arun Jaitley
Former Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs
| State | Delhi |
|---|---|
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Date of Birth | 1952-12-28 |
| Place of Birth | Delhi, India |
| Address | New Delhi, India |
| @arunjaitley | |
| arunjaitleybjp | |
| YouTube | arunjaitleybjp |
| Website | https://www.arunjaitley.com |
Arun Jaitley: A Revered Leader and Eminent Lawyer
Arun Jaitley was a prominent Indian politician and esteemed attorney deeply respected for his significant contributions to Indias governance, legal landscape, and economic reforms. Born on 28 December 1952 in Delhi, he was a key leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and held multiple high-profile positions in the Government of India before his passing on 24 August 2019.Early Life and Education
Arun Jaitley was born to a Punjabi Brahmin family that migrated during the Partition. His father was a lawyer, which perhaps inspired his path in law and politics. He studied at St. Xaviers Senior Secondary School, New Delhi, and later graduated with honors in commerce (B.Com) from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, in 1973. Subsequently, he earned his law degree (LL.B.) from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi in 1977. During his university years, Jaitley was actively involved in student politics. He led the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and was President of the Delhi University Students Union in 1974. He went through a phase of detention during the Emergency in India, which solidified his commitment to democratic ideals and justice.Legal Career
Arun Jaitley began practicing law in 1977 and was designated a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court in January 1990. He appeared before the Supreme Court of India, representing a wide range of clients from politicians to multinational corporations. Jaitley was known for his expertise in constitutional law and corporate affairs.Political Journey and Key Positions
Jaitley joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980 and rose steadily through its ranks, becoming its national spokesperson and general secretary. His political career included several key cabinet ministries:| Position | Term | Prime Minister |
|---|---|---|
| Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs | May 2014 May 2019 | Narendra Modi |
| Minister of Defence | May 2014 - Nov 2014, Mar 2017 - Sep 2017 | Narendra Modi |
| Minister of Law and Justice | 2000-2004, 2003 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
| Minister of Information and Broadcasting | 1999-2000, 2014-2016 | Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi |
| Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha | 2009-2014 | During UPA Governments |
Notable Contributions and Reforms
During his tenure as Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley led major economic reforms that have left lasting impacts on Indias financial landscape:- Goods and Services Tax (GST): Jaitley was instrumental in introducing GST, a tax reform that unified multiple indirect taxes under a single framework, simplifying the tax structure across India.
- Demonetisation (2016): Under his stewardship, the government demonetized high-value currency notes aiming to curb black money, counterfeit currency, and corruption.
- Merger of Railway Budget: Jaitley merged the Railway budget with the General Budget, streamlining fiscal planning.
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code: He introduced important bankruptcy laws aiming to improve ease of doing business and resolve distressed assets efficiently.