Interim cabinet formed; rebels join the govt

Interim cabinet formed; rebels join the govt
Nepalbiznews.com, 01-April-2007

Long awaited interim government has been formed Sunday inducting Maoists, former rebels, as a part of the state for the first time. The sitting of the interim legislature parliament unanimously passed the nominations of the members for interim cabinet.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala administered oath of the office to the ministers and state ministers of 22 member new cabinet.

In the new cabinet, Ram Chandra Poudel (NC) has been inducted as the Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Sahana Pradhan (UML) as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Krishna Bahadur Mahara (CPN-M) as Minister for Information and Communication and Pradip Nepal (UML) as Minister for Education and Sports.

Similarly, Mahantha Thakur (NC) has been elected as Minister for Science and Technology (NC), Dr. Ram Saran Mahat (NC) as Finance Minister, Narendra Bikram Nemwang (NC-D) as Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Krishna Prasad Sitaula (NC) as Home Minister and Dev Gurung (CPN-M) as Minister for Local Development.

In the new cabinet, Rajendra Mahato (NSP-A) is in-charge of Ministry of Commerce and Supply, Prithvi Subba Gurung (UML) is of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Matrika Yadav (CPN-M) is of Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Chhabi Lal Biswokarma (UML) of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Hisila Yami (CPN-M) is of Physical Planning and Construction, Jagat Bahadur Bogati (ULF) of Ministry of Land Reform and Khadga Bahadur Biswokarma (CPN-M) is in-charge of Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (Maoist).

Similarly, Ramesh Lekhak (NC-D) has been elected as State Minister for Labour and Transport Management, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki (NC-D) for Water Resources, Ram Chandra Yadav (UML) for General Administration, Mohan Singh Rathor (UML) for Education and Sports (UML) and Indra Bahadur Gurung (NC-D) for Law, Justice and Parliament Affairs.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, a meeting of newly formed cabinet is underway in Singhadurbar.