KATHMANDU, Sept 22: The interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has recommended four new names for ministerial appointments, 10 days after assuming her office.
The recommendations have been forwarded to President Ram Chandra Paudel for approval.
The nominees are journalist Jagdish Kharel, scientist Mahabir Pun, former Supreme Court justice Anil Kumar Sinha, and Dr. Madan Pariyar, chair of the Samata Foundation. With their induction, the Karki-led cabinet will expand to eight members. The new ministers are scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy on Monday.
Kharel has been proposed as Minister for Communication and Information Technology, while Pun is set to lead the Education, Science, and Technology Ministry. Sinha, the Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, and Dr. Pariyar, the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry.
Earlier on Sunday, PM Karki had recommended public health expert Dr. Sangeeta Mishra as Minister for Health and Population. However, later her name was reportedly put on hold following allegations that surfaced linking her to a controversial procurement deal worth 4.5 billion rupees, a source says.
Earlier, PM Karki had appointed Rameshore Khanal as Finance Minister, Kulman Ghising as Energy Minister, and Om Prakash Aryal as Home Minister.