In a tweet, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw wondered why the decision on e-cigarette ban came from Nirmala Sitharaman and not Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a press conference in New Delhi. Pic/PTI
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday defended her decision to ban e-cigarettes after Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw questioned her authority to issue the ban. In a tweet, Shaw wondered why the decision on e-cigarette ban came from her and not Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
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"E-cigarettes banned, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman - Shd this not come from Min of Health? How about banning gutka too? How about MoF announcing some fiscal measures to revive economy?" tweeted Shaw.
E-cigarettes banned, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman - Shd this not come from Min of Health? How about banning gutka too? How about MoF announcing some fiscal measures to revive economy? https://t.co/9c4hpRlUUD
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) September 18, 2019
Reacting sharply to her, Sitharaman posted a series of tweets, defending her decision. "Kiranji, a few things. This press conference was dedicated to Cabinet decisions. I began by saying that I was there in my capacity as Chair of the GoM which has dealt with the matter. @drharshvardhan is out of country for an international meet," the finance minister posted.
Kiran ji, a few things. This press conference was dedicated to Cabinet decisions. I began by saying that I was there in my capacity as Chair of the GoM which has dealt with the matter. @drharshvardhan is out of country for an international meet. 1/3 https://t.co/oL1UXPqEvJ
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 19, 2019
She added: "Cabinet Minister/s join @PrakashJavdekar, the I&B Minister, when required. Health Secretary was also with me, explaining details. These are protocols, as you know, which govt press conferences follow."
As Finance Minister — you might’ve observed — I’ve been working on and regularly speaking about measures we’ve been taking on matters of the economy. 3/3
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) September 19, 2019
I now understand n I stand corrected. Tks for explaining my confusion. Really grateful for your response.
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) September 19, 2019
Shaw also criticised the finance minister for the lack of fiscal measures to support growth. "As Finance Minister -- you might've observed -- I've been working on and regularly speaking about measures we've been taking on matters of the economy," reacted Sitharaman.
After the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Sitharaman said vaping or e-cigarettes appear cool but a lot of health concerns had been raised against them. "The decision has been taken keeping in mind health of the youth," she said, citing recommendations of premier medical institutes.
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