Prez accepts Naidu's resignation; Smriti Irani made I & B Min, Tomar given Housing & Urban Affairs

New Delhi, Jul 18:  President Pranab Mukherjee today accepted the resignation of Mr M Venkaiah Naidu from the council of ministers and assigned Ms Smriti Irani the charge of Information and Broadcasting ministry while Mr Narendra Singh Tomar was assigned the Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs. 'The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, from the Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution. 'Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that – Mr Narendra Singh Tomar, Cabinet Minister, shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in addition to his existing portfolios; and Ms Smriti Zubin Irani, Cabinet Minister, shall be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in addition to her existing portfolio,' a Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said. UNI