PM chairs first cabinet meeting after surgery

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet for the first time after he underwent a heart bypass surgery nearly two months ago. The meetings of the Cabinet and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs were held at his official Race Course Road residence today, unlike the meetings which were held in South Block during his absence.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had presided over those meetings. Singh has been functioning from his residence ever since he underwent a 'redo' coronary artery bypass surgery on January 24.

The Prime Minister began his normal official engagements on Tuesday when he attended the ceremonial reception accorded to Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as also the delegation level talks.

His first public appearance after the surgery was when he held talks with President of Benin Boni Yayi on March 4.

On March 12, Singh had chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, which took stock of the situation in the wake of political developments in Pakistan.