Ahead Of Budget, Piyush Goyal Takes Temporary Charge Of Finance Ministry As Arun Jaitley Recoups His Health

Just nine days prior to the release of the interim budget, and in the light of Arun Jaitley's critical health condition, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal has been handed additional charge of the Finance and Corporate Affairs ministries, reports The Indian Express.

“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, hereby directed that during the period of the indisposition of Arun Jaitley, the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs will be temporarily held by Piyush Goyal in addition to his existing portfolios,” says an official statement.

During this period of indisposition, Jaitley is designated as a minister without portfolio till the time he is able to return to work.

Jaitley has already undergone surgery in New York and is currently going through a two-week period of rest. It has also been reported that he may have been tested for soft tissue cancer.

The last budget by the ruling NDA prior to the Lok Sabha elections is set to be presented on 1 February in Parliament.