After weeks of delay, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday expanded his cabinet, adding several new members to his team. His move to expand the cabinet comes at a crucial time for Nepal, as the country faces a number of pressing challenges, including economic growth, political stability, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The addition of new members, most of them with excellent track record, to the cabinet is a positive step forward, as it brings fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table. The new ministers have a wealth of experience in various fields, and they will undoubtedly play a key role in helping Nepal to overcome its current challenges. As Prime Minister Dahal has announced to make his third innings as prime minister meaningful, delivering good governance and improving public service delivery, there is much we can hope for now. However, it is important to remember that cabinet expansion alone is not enough to solve Nepal's problems. The new ministers must be given the resources and support they need to carry out their duties effectively. Furthermore, it is vital that the cabinet members work together as a cohesive team, with all members working towards a common goal.
I will deliver on my election promises: PM Dahal
The new cabinet in Nepal must focus on a number of key areas in order to address a range of challenges to promote long-term growth and development in the country. This includes focusing on economic growth, political stability, COVID-19, infrastructure development and education and health. As the negative impacts of the COVID-19 continue to affect the country, the new cabinet should focus on creating jobs and promoting economic growth through investment in infrastructure, tourism, and other industries. A fresh wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the neighboring countries is likely to affect Nepal as well. This has made it necessary to strengthen the country's health care system and implement measures to protect vulnerable populations. Building and improving infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, airports and public transportation systems, to connect remote areas and promote economic growth is equally important. The new cabinet must also focus on providing access to quality education and healthcare for all citizens, as well as addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations, such as women and children.
Nepal completed the first five-year term of the government formed after the election under the framework of a new constitution that transformed Nepal into a federal democratic republic. Dahal has started serving as the country’s first prime minister after the second parliamentary election held on November 20, 2022. Although the erstwhile Nepal Communist Party (NCP) had secured nearly two-thirds majority in the parliament, the government formed under the leadership of K P Oli could not ensure political stability, adding frustrations and disappointments among the people. As Nepal is still recovering from a long period of political turmoil, the new cabinet must work to ensure that the country remains stable and peaceful. This includes addressing the concerns of minority groups and ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. It is equally important for the new cabinet to ensure a transitional justice process moving forward to address the concerns of the victims of the decade-long Maoist conflict. The success of the cabinet expansion will be determined by the actions and decisions of the new ministers, as well as the government as a whole. While assuming their office on Tuesday, the newly-appointed ministers made a number of promises to bring meaningful changes in the country. We wish to see them walk the talk. As a newspaper, it is also our hope that this expansion will help to bring about positive changes and progress for the people of Nepal.
