ARUN JAITLEY Revealed that this would just be a "temporary charge". "The Defence Ministry is only an additional charge for the next few weeks

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley took additional charge of the Defence Ministry on Tuesday. He also paid his condolences to the family of a pilot who died in a plane crash shortly before he took over.

"This is a matter of great concern. My condolences are with the family of the pilot who has passed away," Jaitley, whose prime portfolio is Finance, said.

He, however, revealed that this would just be a "temporary charge". "The Defence Ministry is only an additional charge for the next few weeks. The security of India is a matter of prime importance and predominantly the external security of India is the primary responsibility of this ministry," he said adding that a "balancing act" will have to be made "depending on how may bills have not been paid"

To a question on the appointment of the Army Chief, Jaitley said that there should not be any controversy on the matter. "There may be some questions raised on the procedure of appointment during the election time. But there should not be any controversy on the appointment of any person," he said.