Kathmandu, March 27
A 15-member Council of Ministers has been formed under the leadership of senior leader Balendra Shah (Balen) of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Five of the ministers are women.
All ministers, including Prime Minister Balen, are preparing to take the oath of office today. Balen has already been appointed as Prime Minister and will also oversee the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Industry.
Swarnim Wagle has been assigned the Finance Minister portfolio. Sobita Gautam has been appointed Minister of Law, while Shishir Khanal has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Sudhan Gurung has been entrusted with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has been given the responsibility of the Energy Ministry.
Pratibha Rawal has been assigned the Ministry of General Administration, Bikram Timilsina has been appointed Minister of Communications, and Deepak Sah has been given the responsibility of Minister of Labour.
Sasmita Pokharel has been appointed Minister of Education, Khadkraj (Ganesh) Poudel as Minister of Tourism, Sita Badi as Minister for Women, Children, and Social Affairs, and Nisha Mehta as Minister of Health and Population.
