Nepal’s interim government underwent a significant expansion on Monday with the addition of three new ministers to the Cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Sital Niwas, the Presidential Palace in Kathmandu, where Kulman Ghising, Om Prakash Aryal, and Rameshwor Khanal took their oaths in the presence of high-ranking officials. Kulman Ghising has been appointed as the Minister of Energy, Urban Development, and Physical Infrastructure, bringing with him a wealth of experience as the former Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). He is recognized for his pivotal role in eliminating power shortages in Nepal and spearheading essential energy reforms, including the facilitation of a landmark energy trade agreement with India aimed at exchanging 10,000 MW of electricity over the next decade. Om Prakash Aryal, a lawyer at Nepal’s Supreme Court and a close associate of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has been entrusted with the Ministry of Law and Home Affairs. Aryal is known for his vigorous legal activism, having filed over 50 petitions against previous administrations, and is a strong proponent of transparency and justice. Lastly, Rameshwor Khanal, a respected former Finance Secretary and advocate for economic reforms, has taken on the role of Minister of Finance. His appointment is viewed as a crucial move towards reinstating fiscal discipline and enhancing investor confidence in the country’s economic landscape. This Cabinet expansion follows Prime Minister Karki’s assumption of office just a day prior, with President Ramchandra Paudel officially appointing the new ministers based on Karki’s recommendations.
The interim cabinet of Nepal has been enlarged with the addition of three new ministers.
