Mumbai: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been directed by the President of India Pratibha Patil to hold the charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting during the period of indisposition of Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.

Dasmunsi was admitted to the AIIMS hospital on 13 October. Singh will hold charge of the I&B ministry till such time that Dasmunsi is able to resume his work.

The President has further directed that Dasmunsi shall continue to hold the rank of a minister in the Cabinet, without portfolio.