Nepal PM Balen Shah adds two new ministers to his Cabinet
Kathmandu, April 10
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Friday inducted two new ministers into his Cabinet, filling previously vacant ministerial positions.
According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, lawmaker Ramji Yadav has been assigned the portfolio of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, which had remained vacant following the dismissal of former minister Dipak Kumar Sah, who was embroiled in controversy over the appointment of his wife as a board member of the Health Insurance Board.
Similarly, lawmaker Gauri Kumari Yadav has been appointed Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies - a portfolio previously held by the Prime Minister himself since the beginning.
New Labour Minister Yadav was elected as a Member of Parliament from the Saptari-2 constituency on a ticket from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Likewise, the Industry Minister was elected from the Mahottari-4 constituency in the parliamentary elections held on March 5 as an RSP lawmaker.
Previously, both ministries had been under Prime Minister Shah's direct charge. The newly-appointed ministers are yet to take the oath of office from President Ram Chandra Poudel.
With these appointments, Prime Minister Shah now leads a 16-member Cabinet, a relatively smaller size compared to past governments.
Shah formed the Cabinet on March 27 as the RSP emerged as the largest party with a nearly two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives.
The sweeping victory of the relatively new political force, established in 2022, propelled former rapper Shah - also the former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City - as its Prime Ministerial candidate, a move that many believe swayed voters in favour of the RSP.
Since the formation of the new government, the Shah-led administration has launched a series of initiatives aimed at promoting good governance. Its move to investigate former Prime Ministers K P Sharma Oli, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' - along with businessmen considered close to these leaders - on money laundering charges, has been widely acclaimed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting to see a former rapper and mayor now leading a country. Shows how political landscapes are changing globally. The focus on investigating money laundering is commendable. Hope it's not just for show.
Good to see the ministries getting full-time ministers. Having the PM hold multiple portfolios is never efficient in the long run. Wishing our Nepali neighbours stability and progress. The Labour ministry especially has a tough job ahead.
The previous labour minister was dismissed for nepotism? Sounds familiar. Hope the new appointees focus on merit and public service. India-Nepal relations are crucial, so a stable and transparent government in Kathmandu is in everyone's interest.
A 16-member cabinet is indeed lean. Our state governments sometimes have more ministers! The RSP's rise is fascinating. From rapper to PM – only in politics! 😄 Hope he tackles corruption effectively.
While the intent seems good, I'm cautiously optimistic. New parties often make big promises. Investigating former PMs is a huge task. They need a very strong and independent system to pull that off without it looking like a political vendetta.
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