Amit Shah Takes Charge as Home Minister, Chairs First MHA Meeting

Formally taking charge as the Minister of Home Affairs, BJP President Amit Shah chaired a meeting with the join secretaries of the ministry on Saturday, 1 June.

The meeting was also attended by the two ministers of state Nithayanad Rai and G Kishan Reddy, the governors of Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and Maharashtra, and other officials.

Addressing the media after the meeting, J&K governor Shivpal Malik said he briefed the newly-inducted home minister about the circumstances in the strife-ridden state.

“I briefed him about the ground situation in the state, the development and the circumstances,” he said.

During the 15-minute meeting, the governor also apprised the home minister about the preparation for the Amarnath Yatra.

The 46-day-long yatra will begin on 1 July, the day of Masik Shivratri, and would conclude on 15 August, the day of Shravan Purnima.

Quoting sources, The Indian Express reported that Shah was also briefed by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and the joint securities of the 19 divisions in the ministry over the course of the meeting.

Ahead of the meeting, Shah was received at the North Block – where the ministry is housed – by Gauba and IB Chief Rajiv Jain, and other senior officials amid fanfare.

He was then introduced to various officials and was called upon by the two junior ministers in his office, who also officially took charge on Saturday, reported The Indian Express.

At the meeting, Reddy reportedly reiterated his demand for implementing the NRC across the country.

Speaking to PTI, a home ministry official said Shah is expected to prioritise the NDA government's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and checking illegal immigration.

The new home minister's immediate task would be handling the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under the President's rule, and situation which may arise after the publication of the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)