New Delhi: Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie has been given additional charge of Commerce and Industry Ministry in the wake of prolonged illness of Murasoli Maran who is being flown to the United States for treatment.

Confirming this, Shourie said that he has been informed by the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during his recent visit to Cambodia that he would hold the additional charge of Commerce Ministry.

"This is only a temporary charge until Maran returns from US after treatment," he said.

Shourie will leave for Sydney on November 11 as the head of an Indian delegation to a crucial World Trade Organisation (WTO) inter-ministerial meeting.

Maran has not been attending office since he took ill on September 23. He was operated upon for replacement of the 'infected' mitral valve. Subsequently, he developed renal complications and was put on dialysis.

PTI