New Delhi, Jan 29: DMK leader Murasoli Maran, who is undergoing medical treatment in the United States, will remain a minister without portfolio in the Vajpayee Government at the Centre, a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said tonight. Mr Maran was the Commerce and Industry Minister and played a pivotal role in getting a better deal for developing countries at the at the WTO ministerial meeting at Doha in November 2001. Since then, the commerce portfolio was being held by Mr Arun Shourie, who is now in-charge of the Telecom, Information Technology and Disinvestment ministries. New Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley will also hold the charge of the Law ministry.
Bureau Report