Kathmandu, October 26
Nearly six weeks after the Gen Z movement, the government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki was reshuffled for the third time on Sunday.
On the recommendation of Prime Minister Karki, President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office to two new ministers; Dr Sudha Sharma as Minister for Health and Population, and Bablu Gupta as Minister for Youth and Sports.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Karki had recommended four names to the President, but Khagendra Sunar’s name was withdrawn after controversy, and Ganpatilal Shrestha did not take the oath either.
With the latest appointments, the Council of Ministers now comprises 10 members. “A few more ministers may be added in key ministries,” a source close to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said, adding that “the current team will function under the Prime Minister’s leadership until the elections.”
Twelve years ago, a 12-member cabinet led by then Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi had been formed to hold the second Constituent Assembly elections. Most ministers at that time came from administrative backgrounds, and similar appointments are being made now.
Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal is a retired secretary from the same ministry. Engineer Kulman Ghising is the former executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority. Anil Kumar Sinha is a former Supreme Court justice, while newly appointed Health Minister Dr Sudha Sharma is a retired secretary who left her post 14 years ago after disagreements with ministers. She later worked with several UN agencies.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal is a lawyer by profession, and Communication Minister Jagadish Kharel is a journalist.
Mahabir Pun, known for establishing the National Innovation Center and promoting the use of technology in rural Nepal, entered social service through expanding information technology in remote areas. Agriculture Minister Madan Pariyar has been active in research and social initiatives.
Newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Bablu Gupta has been involved in social service, including distributing free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic and running a “Clothes Bank” campaign for those in need. Through his “Hundred Group” organization, he has carried out several community programs.
The current cabinet includes representation from women, indigenous groups, Dalits, and the Madhesi community. With Gupta’s appointment, both Gen Z activists and the Madhesi community now have representation in the government. Although Ramji Ram, a Madhesi Dalit figure, had been discussed as a possible appointee earlier, his name was not included in the final list.
