New Delhi: Following the demise of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Piyush Goyal has been given additional responsibility of his ministry. Goyal who is the Minister of Railways and of Commerce and Industry, will now also look after the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

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A communique from the President's office read, "The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Piyush Goyal, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in addition to his existing portfolios.”

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Earlier, the Union Cabinet met and condoled the demise of Paswan, and also observed silence for two minutes in memory of the late leader.

Mourning the demise of Paswan, Goyal said in a tweet that Paswan was a skilled politician and a true benefactor of the poor, the exploited and the deprived. Due to his untimely departure, there has been a void in Indian politics, which is impossible to be filled.


Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid his tributes to Ram Vilas Paswan, at the latter's residence.

Paswan, a senior minister in Modi's cabinet and the founder of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) passed away on Thursday night.