Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh was on Monday given the additional charge of Food and Consumer Affairs Ministery, Press Trust of India reported. The development came as a result of incumbent minister Ram Vilas Paswan’s being away from work for treatment of a heart-related ailment. Paswan shall be designated as a minister without portfolio during the period of his indisposition or till such time he is able to resume his work as the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, a direction issued by President Pranab Mukherjee said.

The communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said that Mukherjee has given additional charge of Paswan’s portfolio to the agriculture minister. PTI, quoting officials, said that Paswan will be in London till June 14 for treatment of heart-related ailment.

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“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, shall be assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution during the period of indisposition of Ramvilas Paswan, who is presently undergoing treatment abroad till such time he is able to resume work as the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public  istribution,” a press release issued by the President House said.

Paswan, 70, is the chief of Lok Jansakti Parrty, one of the major alliance partners in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre.