Piyush Goyal given additional charge of finance ministry

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday was given the additional charge of the finance ministry. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who had left for the United States for a medical check-up, will remain a minister without any portfolio, said a statement released by the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, hereby directed that during the period of indisposition of Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister; the portfolios of Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs held by him, be temporarily assigned to Shri Piyush Goyal, in addition to his existing portfolios," the statement said.

Goyal has been assigned the temporary charge of the finance ministry just days before the interim budget has to be presented on February 1.