Though Mitra, 74, did not contest the recently held Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handed the Finance portfolio to Mitra, who has held the post since 2011, when the TMC came to power in Bengal.

Since he is not an MLA, Mitra can remain in his post for a maximum of six months unless he contests – and wins a by-election.

A senior Trinamool leader said on condition of anonymity, “Amit Mitra will complete six months as state finance minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet on November 4. As he is a non-MLA minister, he will have to leave the post after six months or seek election through bypolls. However, he has informed the party that he does not want to continue as state minister post November 4 due to ill-health.”

Sources said Banerjee is likely to keep the finance portfolio till she finds someone suitable to take charge as the next Finance Minister.

Mitra was not present for the vote-on-account in February and during the tabling of the state budget last week. Banerjee had presented on his behalf in February while state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee tabled the budget last week.

In response to a question on GST compensation to Karnataka, the Finance Minister said: “Every State’s compensation will be worked out.” To a query about the kind of expenditure budgeted for the compensation, Ms. Stitharaman said: “I can’t tell you off the cuff. There are amounts which are determined based on the formula which was arrived at last year and that is the basis on which the distribution will start.”

On the demand for vaccines from many States, she said every State would get the allocation of vaccines as per density of population/number of the vulnerable population. “The Centre supplies vaccines well in advance to the states. I assure you that everybody will be vaccinated,” the Finance Minister said.

Mr. Sitharaman visited Boeing India and the SELCO Foundation-funded 100 oxygenated bed facility at Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL), Yelahanka campus in the city. Boeing India and SELCO Foundation have jointly funded the hospital. Doctors for you (DFY) provide the staff and care, and KPCL has provided the land to set up the hospital. “It is commendable that industries and NGOs have collaborated with the government in our fight against COVID-19”, Ms. Sitharaman said.

The hospital was built in less than 20 days. Of the 1100 oxygen beds, 10 beds are dedicated for ICU services and 20 beds for the High Court Dependency Units ward. The hospital has facilities such as triage, donning and doffing, pharmacy, laboratory, test areas, nurse stations, and meeting rooms for medical staff.