Ministerial Vacancies and Cabinet Expansion in Far Western Province

Dhangadhi – The Far Western Province of Nepal is currently experiencing a political reshuffle, with two key ministries remaining vacant.

The Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forestry, and Environment, as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, are both without ministers. Amidst these vacancies, preparations are underway to reorganize the ministries due to the presence of five non-departmental ministers.

Chief Minister Dirgha Bahadur Sodari has been actively trying to incorporate independent MP Dr. Tara Joshi into the government, proposing to appoint him as the Minister of Industry, Tourism, Forestry, and Environment.

However, Dr. Joshi has declined the offer, expressing concerns that splitting the ministry would unnecessarily increase the state's financial burden. Chief Minister Sodari's plan includes splitting three ministries if Dr. Joshi agrees to join the government.

The proposed reorganization involves dividing the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure into a new ministry focusing on energy, water supply, and irrigation sectors.

Additionally, a draft proposal has been prepared to transform the Ministry of Social Development into the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. Furthermore, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forestry, and Environment is expected to be divided into the Ministry of Forestry, Environment, and Science Technology and the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.

Rawal, Deputy Leader of the Samajwadi Parliamentary Party, stated that if Dr. Joshi joins the government, three ministries will be restructured. However, this move has been met with opposition from the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress.

Congress Parliamentary Party leader Kamal Bahadur Shah has criticized the proposed reorganization, arguing that it would place an unjustified financial burden on the state merely to accommodate political appointments.

Currently, there are five non-departmental ministers in the Far Western Province. In the latest cabinet expansion, Chief Minister Sodari appointed eight new ministers, including five without specific departmental responsibilities.

This expansion included three ministers from the UML, three from the Maoist Center, one from the United Socialist Party, and one independent MP. The new non-departmental ministers include Bir Bahadur Thapa and Hira Sarki from the UML, Akkal Bahadur Rawal and Laxmi BK from the Maoist Center, and Maya Pant from the United Socialist Party.

With these appointments, the Sudurpaschim Province Council of Ministers now consists of ten members, including the Chief Minister. Previously appointed ministers include Physical Infrastructure Development Minister Kailash Chaudhary and Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperative Minister Tika Thapa.