Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has accepted Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's resignation tendered today and forwarded it to the President. In a letter written to the Pranab Mukherjee, Dr. Singh said, he has accepted it and forwarded the resignation to Rashtrapatiji with the recommendation that it be accepted with immediate effect.

The Prime Minister said , the government owes a deep debt of gratitude to him for his invaluable contribution over the last eight years. He said, it is a testimony to Mr. Mukherjee's extraordinary abilities and stature in public life that he carried on onerous range of responsibilities with ease and accomplishment.

Dr. Singh said, he and his Cabinet colleagues have benefitted from Mukherjee's wise counsel on innumerable occasions and will deeply miss his presence amidst them. He said, they also hoped to see Mr. Mukherjee occupy the exalted position of President next month and are confident that our country and people will continue to benefit from Mr. Pranab Mukherjee's wisdom, knowledge and decades of experience in public life.

The Prime minister also wished Mr. Mukherjee success in the election to the highest office in the country and sustained good health and happiness in the years to come.