KATHMANDU, July 27: The government has decided to split the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives (MoALMC) into two different ministries. A cabinet meeting held on Thursday made the decision to form Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Land Management and Poverty Alleviation by splitting MoALMC), according to Government Spokesperson Gokul Banskota. With this, the number of ministries has reached to 22.

Currently, Chakrapani Khanal from the erstwhile CPN (Maoist Center) is the minister for MoALMC. Khanal had courted controversy after he announced to open plotting of land that remains banned since Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government. Prime Minister KP Oli, according to sources, will provide the ministerial portfolio of agriculture and livestock to Khanal, while current state minister for Health, Padma Aryal will be given the responsibility for the Ministry of Land Management and Poverty Alleviation. The government has also decided to reform the Press Council as Media Council. The cabinet meeting on Thursday gave an agreement in principle to formulate new laws to form the Media Council.

 
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