KATHMANDU, Feb 1: There has been an inordinate delay in the expansion of the cabinet in Madhesh province. Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav has found it difficult to expand his cabinet even three weeks after the formation of the four-member cabinet.

There is a problem in the expansion of the government because the parties in power have failed to agree on the allocation of ministerial portfolios. An agreement was reached between the ruling parties to give one ministry to each five provincial assembly members. 

But since the two parties have staked claim on the same ministry, the cabinet could not be expanded. CPN (Maoist Center) has demanded two ministries including social development in Madhesh . This is being discussed between the ruling parties, CPN-UML and the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), which is leading the government.

Mahesh Yadav, leader of Janmat Party Madhesh Pradesh parliamentary party, says, "We have asked for the Ministry of Social Development. After reaching agreement on this, the name of the minister from our party will be submitted soon. Engineer Vasant Kushwaha, who became a minister from the Janmat Party on January 27 , has been given the responsibility of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives.

CPN-UML, JSP, Janmat Party and Maoist Center are represented in the Madhesh provincial government. Madhesh provincial government currently has a four-member cabinet. 

Chief Minister Yadav was sworn in on January 13. Along with the Chief Minister, three ministers without portfolios took oath of office and secrecy. Now, their ministerial portfolio has been assigned. 

Chief Minister Yadav said that there was a delay in the expansion of the cabinet as they are trying to bring onboard all parties in the government. "The cabinet will be expanded within this week," he said. 

 
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