Jaitley in hospital for tests

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was admitted to a private hospital here late Sunday for post-operative checks related to his diabetic condition, his doctor said Monday.

The 61-year-old minister, also in charge of the defence and corporate affairs ministries, underwent an elective laparoscopic procedure for management of diabetes Sep 2.

Pardeep K. Chowbey, executive vice chairman of Max Healthcare and director of Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, said Monday the check-up was routine but since the tests could not be done at home, Jaitley had to be admitted to the hospital.

"He was admitted to the hospital Sunday evening. These are routine check-ups which are done two weeks after surgery but were delayed because of the Chinese president's visit," Chowbey told IANS.

"His condition is absolutely normal. His kidneys are doing well," the doctor said.

Sources close to the minister said Jaitley has already lost nearly 17 kg. The minister also had some stomach infection.

The doctor said Jaitley was expected to be discharged either late Monday or Tuesday.

Jaitley was Monday scheduled to launch an updated version of the income tax department website that will now have a single window for all online services. The programme now stands cancelled, the source added.

The minister also missed the two-day meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers at Cairns in Australia that concluded Sunday.