Piyush Goyal To Act As Finance Minister In Jaitley’s Absence

New Delhi: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has been temporarily given additional charge of the Finance Ministry till the time Arun Jaitley returns from USA where he will undergo treatment.

A Rashtrapati Bhawan communiqué said: “The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, hereby directs 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. Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley be designated as Minister without portfolio during the period of his indisposition or till such time he is able to resume his work as
Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs.”

Jaitley has been designated as a minister without portfolio during the period of his indisposition.

This is the second time that Goyal will serve as Finance Minister. He had earlier stepped in when Jaitley had undergone a kidney replacement surgery.

It, however, remained unclear whether Jaitley or Goyal will present the mini Union Budget on February 1.

Reports suggest that before leaving for US, Jaitley had given the final touches to a universal income scheme, a highly anticipated proposal of the Narendra Modi government to ensure minimum assured income for those engaged in the farm sector and for others.