KATHMANDU, Dec 1: Ten nominees from the Nepali Congress have been sworn in as state ministers on Wednesday. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed 10 state ministers amid a special function organized at the prime minister's office at Singha Durbar. Dahal expanded his cabinet for the fifth time after assuming office on August 4.

Accordingly, Dirgharaj Bhat has been appointed as Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sitaram Mehata to Forest and Soil Conservation, Kanchan Bade to Industry, Surendra Acharya to Irrigation, Deepak Khadka to Drinking Water and Sanitation, Indra Baniya to Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mithu Malla to Commerce, Taraman Gurung to Health, Subarna Juharchan to Urban Development and Dilip Gachchhadar to Labour and Employment. 

Also, present on the occasion were DPM and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi, ministers, leaders of the different political parties and high-level officials of the government.