Cabinet reshuffled, with two new ministers

Kathmandu, June 9: President Ramchandra Paudel has, on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, today made appointments to and reshuffled the existing Council of Ministers.
According to the Office of the President, the Council of Ministers has been reshuffled with division of portfolio as follows in pursuant to Article 76 (9) and on the recommendation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

1. Balendra Shah, Prime Minister, Defense
2. Dr Swarnim Wagle, Finance
3. Shisir Khanal, Foreign Affairs
4. Birajbhakta Shrestha, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation
5. Sudhan Gurung, Home Affairs
6. Sunil Lamsal, Infrastructure Development
7. Sobita Gautam, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
8. Mahabir Pun, Science, Technology and Innovation
9. Sita Badi, Women, children, gender and sexual minorities and social security
10. Pratibha Rawal, Land management, cooperatives, federal and general administration
11. Nisha Mehta, Health and Food Safety
12. Sasmit Pokharel, Education and Sports
13. Khadkaraj Paudel, Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation
14. Dr Bikram Timilsina, Information and Communications
15. Gita Chaudhary, Agriculture, Forest and Environment
16. Gauri Kumari, Industry, Commerce and Supplies
17. Ramji Yadav, Youth, Labor and Employment
    Also today, newly appointed ministers Sudhan Gurung and Mahabir Pun took the oath of office and secrecy before the President at a special ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan today.

Newly-appointed Minister Pun assumes office

Newly appointed Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun has assumed the office at Singha Durbar-based Ministry today itself.
On the occasion, Minister Pun expressed commitment to push advancement of the science and technology.
He shared, “Advancement of science and technology is not possible in a slow pace. So activities will be carried out round the clock to spur its development”.
Newly appointed Minister Pun mentioned that he would remain in the ministerial post not more than three years, even though the government is for five years.
He opined that responsibility would be transferred to the emerging generations by laying solid foundations for the science and technology. —