R. K. Shanmukham Chetty Biography 
Sir Ramasamy Chetty Kandasamy Shanmukham Chetty, popularly known as R. K. Shanmukham Chetty was a lawyer, administrator, economist and politician from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, who served as independent India's first finance minister from 1947 to 1949. He presented the first budget after India's Independence on 26 November 1947. One of the most prominent Indian administrators in the pre-independent era and also post-independence, he served as Diwan of Cochin kingdom from 1935 to 1941. Prior to being posted as Diwan of Kochi, he served as President of India's Central Legislative Assembly from 1933 to 1935. He passed away on 5 May 1953 aged 60.
R. K. Shanmukham Chetty was born in Coimbatore of Madras Presidency on 17 October 1892. For higher education he moved to Chennai and studied at Madras Christian College and Madras Law College. In politics, he was associated with Swaraj Party and Justice Party. He got elected to India's Central Legislative Assembly in 1931, and was appointed as President in 1933. He served in this position till his term ended in 1935. However he lost 1935 elections, and returned to south India where he served as Diwan of Cochin kingdom.
After independence, when Mahatma Gandhi chose Shanmukham Chetty as the first finance minister of India, it invited a lot of controversies, because of Chetty’s leaning towards British rule in the pre-independent era. But Gandhi chose him due to his expertise in economics. Chetty had regular conflicts with Nehru and had difference in opinion, and quit the post very soon. He got opportunity to present the first budget after India's Independence as India’s first finance minister. Apart from his political career, he was also involved with social activities, and is known for his support for Tamil Isai Movement.
Published: October 06, 2018
Updated: October 06, 2018
