Kathmandu, Sept 15: The Prime Minister Sushila Karki has decided to add three members to her cabinet. This would be the first cabinet expansion after her appointment.
Their appointments were finalized after consultations with representatives of the ongoing Gen Z movement.
According to sources, former Finance Secretary Rameshwor Khanal, former Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising, and Senior Advocate Om Prakash Aryal will be appointed as ministers today.
Mr Rameshwor Khanal will lead Ministry of Finance, Mr Kulman Ghising to Ministry of Energy and Mr Om Prakash Aryal as Ministry of Home Affairs.
Advocate Aryal currently serves as a legal adviser to Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah. According to the President’s Office, Karki has already submitted the necessary recommendations for their appointments, and the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for today.
Both Khanal and Ghising are known for their commitment to good governance in their previous roles and are figures highly regarded by the Gen Z movement. Advocate Aryal played an active role in negotiating the protesters’ demands.
Sources say Prime Minister Karki is also seeking input from Gen Z activists in selecting the rest of her cabinet.
Karki, a former Chief Justice, was appointed as the head of an interim government in line with the demands of the Gen Z protests, which began as an anti-corruption campaign. She chose her first ministers on the third day after taking office.
Karki, who was sworn in as prime minister on Friday night, formally assumed office on Sunday at Singha Durbar.
However, because demonstrators set fire to the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office, she had to assume of office at the newly constructed building intended for the Home Ministry. The Home Ministry itself has been moved to the former Ministry of General Administration building, as its premises were rendered unusable by the fire.
Gen Z protesters, whose movement focuses on fighting corruption, reportedly pressed for ministers with a reputation for integrity and the ability to manage the responsibilities and challenges of the interim government. Names of former military and police officials, as well as ex-bureaucrats, are also under discussion for cabinet positions, but no final decisions have been made yet. #nepal
