Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SD)
New Delhi, Oct 9: After the death of Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan, Union minister Piyush Goyal was given the additional charge of consumers affairs, food and public distribution ministry, the portfolio held by the late minister.
Currently, Piyush Goyal is serving as the minister of railways and minister of commerce and industry in the central government.
On Friday, October 9 a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said that President Ram Nath Kovind, on advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed Goyal be added the additional ministry to his existing portfolios.
On Thursday, the eight-time Lok Sabha MP and one of the most prominent Dalit leaders died at the age of 74. He was part of several BJP-NDA and Congress led UPA governments.
The funeral of the veteran leader is scheduled to be held on Saturday. Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will be representing the central government and union council of ministers.