Far western CM Shah asks forest Minister Chaudhary to resign over subsidy fraud allegations

Dhangadhi: Far Western Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has directed Rameshwar Chaudhary, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, to resign from his post.
Minister Chaudhary, who was appointed on Jestha 4 from the Nagarik Unmukti Party (Naupa), has been asked to step down due to dissatisfaction with his working style. Additionally, allegations of his involvement in fraudulent distribution of subsidized power tiller tractors in Kailali and Kanchanpur have surfaced.

Following the Chief Minister’s directive, Minister Chaudhary has begun internal consultations with provincial assembly members of his party. The call for his resignation is reportedly linked to a case involving extortion of money from farmers under the pretext of distributing power tillers on subsidy, during his tenure as Agriculture Minister.

Police in Kanchanpur have already arrested several individuals in connection with the case, including Sushila Khadka, president of Suro Nepal. A complaint has also been filed against Minister Chaudhary at the Kailali District Police Office.

Previously, Laxman Kishore Chaudhary, the then Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, resigned after being implicated in a financial misconduct case related to implementing sustainable forest management procedures. Following his resignation, the Nagarik Unmukti Party nominated Rameshwar Chaudhary as his replacement.