Kathmandu [Nepal], April 7 (ANI): Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balendra Shah has revised the hierarchy of the Council of Ministers of his cabinet formed on March 27. The revision of ministerial positions comes in less than fifteen days of the formation of the government.
As per the release from the Office of the President, after it was recommended by the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.
“The change applies to the Council of Ministers formed on March 27 on the recommendation of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, in accordance with Article 76(9) of the Constitution of Nepal,” the release said.
Though the ministerial hierarchy has been changed, the portfolios remain unchanged; their order of precedence has been rearranged.
In the latest round of revision, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has slipped to fifth position from his previous third position in the cabinet. As per the revised hierarchy, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle now ranks immediately after Prime Minister Shah, based on seniority.
Similarly, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung now follows Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha. In the previous hierarchy, Home Minister Gurung held the third position.
In the 15-member Cabinet, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah is currently placed at the 15th position.
Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ was sworn in as Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister earlier in March.
Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy after appointing Shah earlier in the day under Article 76(1) of the Constitution.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, former prime ministers, senior officials, security chiefs and members of the diplomatic community. (ANI)