Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has been given charge of the Finance and Corporate Affairs Ministry, the portfolio held by Arun Jaitley, who is undergoing treatment in the US.
Now, there is strong possibility that Jaitley might not present interim budget-cum-vote on account on February 1. If it happens, Goyal will do the needful.
According to a press communiqué from the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that during the period of indisposition of Arun Jaitley, his portfolios — Finance and Corporate Affairs — be temporarily assigned to Piyush Goyal, in addition to his existing portfolios.
This is second time that Goyal has been given charge of the Finance Ministry. Last year, he held the charge for three months when Jaitley went for kidney transplantation.