Nepal EC objects to cabinet expansion as PM Deuba inducts 4 more ministers

Kathmandu [Nepal], September 12 (ANI): Objecting the move of cabinet expansion by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday, the Election Commission of Nepal alarmed the government over violating the Code of Conduct.

The electoral body, in a press statement, stated that the government violated the Code of Conduct by inducting three ministers and one state minister.

"The commission on August 31 had given seven point directions to Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Point one of given directions says 'any of the bodies coming under the ownership of the Government of Nepal or the Government Treasury, which receives funds and budget or any services and facilities from the Government of Nepal, will not have any political appointment' was stated, but the government on September 11, 2017 inducted three ministers and one state minister going against the direction of the Election Commission, which has drawn the attention of the commission," the statement stated.

With the induction of three new ministers - Deepak Bohara as the Minister for Science and Technology, Bikram Pandey as the Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation and Sunil Bahadur Thapa as the Minister for Industry and one state minister, the cabinet now has 54 members, making it the most populated cabinet in Nepal's history.

Prime Minister Deuba, who took over the office four months back, has got 388 votes with eight short for two-third majority, which compelled the 40th Premier of Nepal to expand his cabinet for the fifth time, to secure his government. (ANI)

By Binod Prasad Adhikari

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI