Meet Chandrima Bhattacharya, New Finance Minister In Mamata Banerjee's Cabinet

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the reallocation of the state's cabinet as she appointed Chandrima Bhattacharya with the financial portfolio which was earlier handled by Amit Mitra until last November. The reallocation also provided Firhad Hakim with the urban development portfolio, who earlier served as the Mayor of Calcutta for the preceding two terms of the Chief Minister as well as Transport Minister in the third term.

Earlier, Chandrima Bhattacharya held the urban development department and also served as the Minister of state for finance since West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took oath for the third time. Bhattacharya also holds the office of health and family welfare, the department of land and land reforms, the department of refugee relief and rehabilitation, the department of planning and statistics and also the department of program monitoring.

The reallocation of portfolios in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet was approved by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday afternoon. It is likely that Chandrima Bhattacharya will be presenting the West Bengal budget for fiscal year 2022-23.

Suggested Reading: Row Over Mamata Banerjee “Insulting” National Anthem: What You Should Know

Addressing her allocation as the Finance Minister of West Bengal, she celebrated her elevation calling it the "best gift" to the women of Bengal by the Chief Minister on International Women's Day. "I am a trusted soldier of Mamata Banerjee and will carry out the responsibilities entrusted to me till my last breath," she remarked.

Who is Chandrima Bhattacharya?

Chandrima Bhattacharya is a politician belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress. She holds the office as the Minister of State for finance, health and family welfare as well as refugee relief and rehabilitation.

Bhattacharya is the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MLA candidate from Dum Dum Uttar constituency. The politician has a graduate degree in commerce and she practiced Lawyer at Calcutta High Court till 2011. She also held the independent charge of law and judicial department of West Bengal.