Harsh Vardhan gets additional charge of Environment Ministry

New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan was on Thursday given additional charge of the Environment Ministry following the death of Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave, an official statement said.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Dr Harsh Vardhan, Cabinet Minister shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in addition to his existing portfolios," the President’s Office said in a statement.

Dave, 61, passed away at his official residence here on Thursday morning.

Harsh Vardhan is also minister for Earth Sciences.