Published 13:03 IST, October 1st 2019
Arun Jaitley's family offers pension to Rajya Sabha Class IV staff
Sangeeta Jaitley, the wife of the late Arun Jaitley recently wrote to the Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu declining the pension that was due to the family
Sangeeta Jaitley, the wife of the late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recently wrote to the Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu declining the pension that was due to the family. Sangeeta Jaitley in her letter to the Chairman requested the due pension to be offered to Class IV Rajya Sabha staff. She cited Arun Jaitley's 'philanthropic past' for refusing the pension. Furthermore, serving the most needy section of the Rajya Sabha staff would have made the late Arun Jaitley happy, Sangeeta Jaitley added.
'Without, by any means, intending to undermine the noble sentiment associated with the offer of pension entitled to the spouse of a late MP, a cause which Arun himself championed, I would humble request the hon’ble parliament to deploy this pension amount towards the welfare of the most needy segment of the institution, which Arun served for almost two decades; the Class IV employees of the Rajya Sabha. I am sure, Arun, too, would have wished the same.' (sic) Sangeeta Jaitley wrote in the letter.
Arun Jaitley, the philanthropist
The late Finance Minister has been known for being a philanthropist. Apart from paying for the education of all his staff members, he has reached out to many people in times of need. Besides his political career, Jaitley was known for his mind in the legal field. He has served as the Additional Solicitor General of India in the 1990s. Jaitley has also served as a senior lawyer at the Delhi High Court further serving as a practitioner of law at the Supreme Court of India.
The BJP stalwart
Arun Jaitley passed away on August 24 at the AIIMS, New Delhi. He was rushed to the hospital on August 9, after he complained of breathlessness, however, his condition is said to have deteriorated. His last rites were performed at the Nigambodh Ghat. Jaitley is best known for having served as the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs in the first term of the Modi government. He also held the Defence and Information and Broadcasting portfolios.
Updated 15:33 IST, October 1st 2019