Government Unveils Decisions from Council of Ministers Meeting

The government today announced the decisions made during the Council of Ministers meeting held on Tuesday. Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson, Prithvi Subba Gurung, unveiled 14 key decisions taken by the Cabinet.

Among the significant decisions, the Cabinet approved the formation of a talks team to negotiate the acceptance of a $20 million US Dollar grant and $10 million loan assistance proposed by the Asian Development Bank for the implementation of the ‘Climate Resilient Landscape and Livelihood Project.’

Additionally, the Cabinet agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to receive grant assistance of approximately Rs 6.58 billion (38.5 million pounds sterling) from the UK government to implement the “Samartha: Enhancing Gender and Human Development Outcomes through Systems Strengthening” program. Similarly, another MoU was approved for the grant assistance from the UK government to support the “Resilience, Adaptation, and Inclusion in Nepal” initiative.

In judicial appointments, the meeting decided to assign Shyamji Pradhan, judge of the High Court Tulsipur, Nepalgunj bench, as the law member and chair of the Revenue Tribunal, Nepalgunj under the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. Secretary Uday Raj Sapkota, formerly of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has been transferred to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Federal Affairs, while Secretary Phanidra Gautam of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Federal Affairs has been reassigned to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the promotion of officers in the Nepal Judicial Service, including the promotion of joint secretary Alok Chandra Shrestha of the Defence Ministry to the position of Secretary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the promotion of joint secretary Parashwor Dhungana of the Nepal Law Commission to Secretary at the Commission itself. Judge Janak Pandey of the High Court, Surkhet, has been designated as the Chair of the Labour Court.

In the realm of law enforcement, the Cabinet promoted Deputy Inspector General of Police Ram Dutta Joshi to the position of Additional Inspector General of Civil Police in the Nepal Police. Additionally, several senior police officials were reassigned, including the transfer of Additional Inspector General Deepak Thapa to the Central Investigation Bureau from the Kathmandu Valley Police Office.

The Defence Ministry also saw promotions, with a Brigadier General being elevated to Major General, four Colonels promoted to Brigadier General, one Lieutenant Colonel promoted to Colonel, and one acting Colonel confirmed as Colonel.

In other significant decisions, the government decided to scrap the “Directives related to Appointment, Condition of Service, and Facilities, 2080” for the appointment of a national security advisor to the National Security Council.

Regarding urban development, the government appointed Rajesh Kumar Bhochhibhoya, Deputy Manager of the Municipal Development Fund, to work for three months under the Town Development Fund Act, 2053. The Cabinet also appointed one office-bearer as a member of the Municipal Development Fund Board of Directors in all seven provinces, including the mayors and deputy mayors of various municipalities across the provinces.

Lastly, in response to the recent Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Suryachaur, Nuwakot district, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has formed a three-member probe commission. The commission, chaired by senior pilot Subas Thapa of the Nepali Army, has been tasked with investigating the incident and is required to submit its report within 30 days.