Hikmat Kumar Karki expands Koshi Province cabinet

ITAHARI: Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has expanded his cabinet, 17 days after he was sworn into the post.

On Monday, Chief Minister Karki inducted two ministers and two ministers of state in his cabinet.

Chief Minister Karki had previously appointed Til Kumar Meyangbo, Panch Karna Rai, and Ek Raj Karki as ministers, and Sirjana Rai as Minister of State following his swearing-in on September 8. He has now appointed Lila Ballabh Adhikari and Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari as ministers, and Ram Prasad Mahato and Niran Rai as ministers of state.

Karki was appointed to the post as per the Supreme Court’s order in accordance with Article 168 (3) of the Constitution of Nepal. He needs to secure a vote of confidence within 30 days of his appointment.

New Koshi Province Cabinet:

Hikmar Kumar Karki – Chief Minister; Minister for Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives; Social Development; and Economic Affairs and Planning

Til Kumar Meyangbo – Minister for Health

Panch Karna Rai – Minister for Tourism, Forest and Environment

Ek Raj Karki – Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Development

Lila Ballabh Adhikari – Minister for Internal Affairs and Law

Buddhi Kumar Rajbhandari – Minister for Water Supply, Irrigation and Energy

Ram Prasad Mahto – Minister of State for Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives

Sirjana Rai – Minister of State for Social Development

Niran Rai – Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning