PM expands cabinet as newly appointed Nepal ministers sworn-in

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has administered oath of office and secrecy to 13 newly-appointed ministers from the Nepali Congress.

The oath was administered amidst a special ceremony organized at the President's Office, Sheetal Niwas, on Friday in the presence of the new Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, reports the Kathmandu Post.

The Ministers sworn-in today include Arjun Narsingh KC, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Balkrishna Khand, Keshab Kumar Budhathoki, Gagan Kumar Thapa, Shanker Bhandari, Sita Devi Yadav, Hridaya Ram Thani, Romi Gauchan Thakali, Deepak Giri, Nabindra Raj Joshi, Jeevan Bahadur Shahi and Surya Man Gurung.

Earlier, Bimalendra Nidhi and Ramesh Lekhak were already inducted into the government as Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, and Minister for Physical Infrastructure, respectively.

On the occasion, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior leader Ram Chandra Poudel, among others, were present.

Meanwhile, after assuming his office the newly appointed Health Minister Gagan Thapa has said that it is his moral responsibility to address the demands of Dr Govinda KC.

"I have given special priority to three points which I will implement during my tenure as the minister. Along with constitution implementation, I will focus on tabling medical sector laws, building infrastructure and resource collection," he said.

After this induction of 13 new ministers from there are now a total of 31 members in the council of ministers.

Among the 31-member council of ministers, Peace and Reconstruction Minister Sitadevi Yadav is the only female member.

After the NC recommended the names of ministers in the cabinet, there are only four ministries vacant now which have been kept for small parties.