Irani meets Maneka before taking charge of WCD Ministry

Smriti Irani met her predecessor Maneka Gandhi to discuss issues related to child development and sexual harassment, before formally taking charge of the Women and Child Development Ministry on June 3.

New Delhi: Newly-appointed Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani met her predecessor Maneka Gandhi on Saturday to discuss important issues in the ministry and the way forward in tackling them.

Sharing a picture with Gandhi on Twitter, Irani said she was 'grateful' to the former Women and Child Development minister for sparing some time (from her schedule) and blessing her ahead of the job ahead.

• Grateful to @Manekagandhibjp ji for sparing her valuable time and blessing me. It was extremely kind of her to highlight important issues in @MinistryWCD and guide me on the way forward. pic.twitter.com/1umZkf1Yrt

  — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 1, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Grateful to @Manekagandhibjp ji for sparing her valuable time and blessing me. It was extremely kind of her to highlight important issues in @MinistryWCD and guide me on the way forward. pic.twitter.com/1umZkf1Yrt

  — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 1, 2019

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  Grateful to @Manekagandhibjp ji for sparing her valuable time and blessing me. It was extremely kind of her to highlight important issues in @MinistryWCD and guide me on the way forward. pic.twitter.com/1umZkf1Yrt

  — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 1, 2019

"It was extremely kind of her to highlight important issues in the WCD Ministry and guide me on the way forward," Irani tweeted.

The Amethi MP is yet to formally take charge of the WCD Ministry, but reports suggest that she is likely to take charge on June 3.

From tackling malnutrition and stunted growth among children to drafting the regulations for sexual harassment at the workplace, a host of challenges await Irani, who was appointed as the WCD Minister on Friday.

Among several issues that await the Union Minister are completing the registration of child care institutions and ensuring that the anti-trafficking bill passes the Rajya Sabha hurdle.

Irani emerged as a 'giant slayer' after defeating Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi. Irani has retained the charge of Textiles Ministry, a portfolio she held during the first term of the Narendra Modi government.