Koshi Chief Minister Karki reshuffles cabinet, inducts NCP ministers

ITAHARI: Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki expanded his cabinet on Monday by inducting three ministers and one minister of state from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP).

Province Chief Parshuram Khapung appointed Khinu Langwa Limbu, Jeevan Acharya and Gombu Sherpa as ministers and Sapana Darji as minister of state on the recommendation of Chief Minister Karki on Monday. Khapung administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers on Monday itself.

Chief Minister Karki, who represents the CPN-UML,  has also reshuffled his cabinet following the formation of a new ruling coalition with the NCP.  Indramani Parajuli has been given responsibility for the Ministry of Health, Bidur Kumar Lingthep for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, and Ram Prasad Mahato for the Ministry of Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Similarly, Tilchan Pathak has been assigned the Ministry of Water Supply, Irrigation and Energy; Khinu Langwa Limbu the Ministry of Tourism, Forests and Environment; Jeevan Acharya the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development; Gombu Sherpa the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law; and Geeta Timsina the Ministry of Social Development.

Sapana Pariyar has been appointed as Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure Development, while Umakanta Gautam has been assigned the responsibility of Minister of State for Health.