KATHMANDU, Feb 16: Chief ministers of three provinces took oath of office and assumed their duties on Thursday. 

CPN-UML leader Sherdhan Rai has assumed the duties of the chief minister of Province 1. Governor Dr Govinda Bahadur Tumbahang had appointed Rai to the post on Wednesday as per Clause 1 of Article 168 of the constitution. 

Governor Tumbahang presented him the certificate of appointment amid a function organized at the office of the governor on Thursday. He wished Rai a successful tenure while handing the certificate.

Responding to media after receiving his certificate, Rai said he would form a small council of ministers. “The council would have three to five members, including ministers from CPN (Maoist Center),” he said. 

In Province 2, Mohammad Lal Babu Raut assumed his role as chief minister amid a function. He pledged to develop the province as religious hub of the country. During the occasion, Raut also named the Federal Socialist Forum Nepal's Bijay Yadav as minister for financial affairs and planning and Jitendra Sonal of Rastriya Janata Party Nepal as physical infrastructure minister. 

Likewise, Trilochan Bhatta has been appointed as chief minister of Province 7. He also assumed the position on Thursday. After his appointment, Bhatta assured of developing the province.

“This province has a lot of potentials. If we can properly utilize natural resources and run the government effectively, this province will be rich and prosperous,” he said.
Similarly, Chief Minister Shankar Pokharal of Province 5 pledged to prioritize development in his province to make it prosperous.

 
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