Food Minister Paswan unwell; Agri Min gets addl charge

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has gone to London for treatment of heart-related ailment and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has been given additional charge of the portfolio held by his colleague.

President Pranab Mukherjee has directed that 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 communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Mukherjee has given additional charge of Paswan's portfolio to the agriculture minister, it said.

Officials said 70-year-old Paswan will be in London till June 14 for treatment of heart-related ailment.