The Expanded Cabinet

The Council of Ministers that was first formed on December 26 following the November 20 election has now got the full shape. This paves way for smooth functioning of the government and unhindered delivery of services to the people. President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Tuesday constituted a 23-member Council of Ministers on the recommendation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, with new appointments and allocation of portfolios. In the earlier cabinet, there were three Deputy Prime Ministers with the responsibilities of the Ministries of Finance, Home, and Physical Infrastructure and Transport. In the eight-member Council of Ministers, four ministers were not fixed their ministry portfolios. This was the result of a special political circumstance where consultations, division of responsibilities and consensus had to be worked out among the ruling coalition partners.