Mumbai: Reserve Bank Governor Bimal Jalan, who was on August 28 nominated to Rajya Sabha, said
the Finance Minister's job was "not on the cards".
"That's not something on the cards," Jalan told reporters, when asked if he was being considered for the
post of Finance Minister.
Elated over his nomination to Rajya Sabha, the RBI chief said, "I am looking forward to being there. It's a
matter of responsibility and privilege."
"I am looking forward to what I can do for the people of the country in areas where I worked like
economic policies and administration," he said.
Jalan said economic policies were important and he will contribute by participating in the public debate.
Jalan, who is stepping out of RBI after a six-year stint as Governor, said he required some "experience"
to assess the political scenario of the country.
A renowned economist, Jalan has served in various capacities in the Central government including as
Finance Secretary, Chief Economic Advisor and Member of Planning Commission before becoming RBI
Governor in 1997.
Jalan's nomination came a day after he presented the annual report for 2002-03, which projected
buoyancy in economy with GDP (Gross domestic Product) growth expected to be significantly higher
than 6.0 per cent pegged in the April slack season Credit Policy.
PTI