Piyush Goyal assigned additional charge of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution after Ram Vilas Paswan’s demise

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Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution by President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday. According to a release by the President Ram Nath Kovind’s office, Goyal will hold the charge of this Ministry in addition to his existing portfolios.

Goyal is the Minister of Railways and Commerce and Industry in the Cabinet. He is replacing late Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan who passed away following an illness on Thursday. Paswan, who hailed from Bihar, passed away at the age of 74 at AIIMS, Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president JP Nadda, and several leaders across parties paid tribute to the late leader at his residence in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid last respects to Union Minister and Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan at the latter’s residence in New Delhi on Friday. Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Giriraj Singh also paid their respects to the departed leader.

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Also read: Ram Vilas Paswan dies at 74; President Kovind, PM Modi and others condole demise

Earlier today, the mortal remains of Paswan were taken to his residence here from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he breathed his last on Thursday. LJP chief and Ram Vilas’ son, Chirag Paswan, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan among others were present at the AIIMS early morning today.

Meanwhile, flags at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament are flying at half-mast to condole the demise of Union Minister. As a mark of respect to Cabinet Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who passed away on Thursday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that the National flag will be flown at half-mast on Friday in the national capital and capitals of all States and Union Territories (UTs) where it is regularly flown, and also on the day of the funeral at the place where the funeral will take place.

According to the MHA, it has also been decided that state funeral will be accorded to Paswan. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) founder Ram Vilas Paswan passed away at the age of 74 on Thursday. His Son Chirag Paswan broke the news on his Twitter handle. Paswan recently underwent heart surgery in Delhi.

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