(Image source from: dnaindia.com)

As expected, Piyush Goyal has been named the interim Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs during Arun Jaitley's absence.

Arun jaitley, who is on medical leave left to US a week ago for routine medical check-up.

It is now clear that Arun jaitley will not be present to give Modi government’s last budget before Lok sabha polls.

A statement from President’s Office released yesterday late in the evening said,

“The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, hereby directed 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.”

Goyal had previously held the finance portfolio when Jaitley was recovering from a medical procedure for a kidney transplant. It also mentioned in the release that , as advised by the PM, Jaitley will be designated minister without portfolio during the period of his indisposition or till such time he is able to resume his work as minister for finance and minister for corporate affairs.

The BJP government is expected to announce some major plans to tackle farm distress as well as sops for the middle class and small and medium enterprises in the interim budget.

As this is the last budget before general election analysts are eagerly awaiting the interim budget to get clues on the government’s stance on fiscal policy and consolidation and plans to unveil a direct benefit transfer to help farmers.

-Sai Kumar