PM-designate Balen Shah pushes for 16 ministries, RSP works to build consensus

KATHMANDU, March 23: With the formation of a new government imminent, Prime Minister-designate Balendra Shah is pushing for a streamlined cabinet of 16 ministries, even as internal discussions continue within the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to forge consensus on the final structure.

Riding on a fresh electoral mandate, Shah is expected to lead the new government with a focus on efficiency and administrative consolidation. Although he has not spoken publicly since the elections, party sources say he is actively engaged in shaping the composition of the new cabinet.

Deliberations among top RSP leaders—including party President Rabi Lamichhane, Vice-President Dol Prasad Aryal, and Vice-President Dr Swarnim Wagle—have intensified in recent days, with efforts focused on reconciling differing views over the number of ministries. The erstwhile government led by K P Oli had 25 ministerial portfolios, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

At the centre of the discussions is Shah’s proposal to limit the cabinet to 16 ministries by merging several existing portfolios while retaining key ministries in their current form. The proposal is aimed at reducing bureaucratic overlap and improving governance efficiency.

Under the proposed structure, the Office of the Prime Minister would be expanded into the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The Home Ministry would consolidate internal security and administrative functions under a unified framework.

A major restructuring includes the merger of the Ministry of Finance with the National Planning Commission to form a single Ministry of Finance, Planning and Development. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence would remain unchanged.

Shah has also proposed combining the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and merging the Ministry of Health and Population with the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens to create a broader Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Similarly, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies would be merged with the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, while the Ministry of Forests and Environment would be combined with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Other key ministries—including Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development; Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation; and Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation—would remain largely unchanged.

The proposal also includes the creation of a Ministry of Public Service and Communications through the merger of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, while retaining the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in its current form.

Shah is preparing to take the oath of office on March 27, along with a full cabinet based on this restructured model.

However, differences persist within the party. President Rabi Lamichhane has maintained that the government should adhere to earlier understandings and retain 18 ministries. Party leaders say negotiations are ongoing to reach a middle ground before the final cabinet is announced.

16 Ministries Proposed by Balendra Shah

Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (Unchanged)

Ministry of Home Affairs (currently the Ministry of Home Affairs, incorporating internal security and administration)

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Development (currently the Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (unchanged)

Ministry of Defence (unchanged)

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (merger of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (merger of the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens)

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development (unchanged)

Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (unchanged)

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (unchanged)

Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation (unchanged)

Ministry of Industry, Labour and Supplies (merger of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security)

Ministry of Forests, Environment and Natural Resources (merger of the Ministry of Forests and Environment and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation)

Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (unchanged)

Ministry of Public Service and Communications (merger of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration)