Experts Express Optimism About New Cabinet Led by Balendra Shah
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
The cabinet led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’, formed on Friday, includes individuals from various fields and communities.
Experts have described this government’s composition as very positive, particularly in terms of youth participation and female representation. They note that the inclusion of educated and widely engaged young members will inject fresh energy into the cabinet.
Among the fifteen members of the cabinet, five are women, and the team includes professionals such as writers, economists, journalists, and teachers.
On Friday, the Prime Minister and the ministers took the oath of office and secrecy and officially assumed their duties.
The first meeting of the cabinet has also been held, and its decisions have been made public.
‘Positive Energy Expected to Increase’
Experts have stated that dominance of young individuals will bring positive energy at this time.
Public figure Saru Joshi said, “It could have been even better, but this time unexpected faces have joined the cabinet, bringing new energy and knowledge.”
“Relying on old faces felt scripted, but I welcome this. It will send a positive message,” she added.
Joshi also pointed out that given the country’s fragile economic condition, not forming a large cabinet is a positive step.
“A 15-member cabinet has been formed by combining various ministries. This is also a good move,” she said.
Improved Female Representation
Education expert Reshu Aryal noted that female representation this time appears better.
Previous cabinets were criticized for lacking 33 percent female participation, but this shortfall is not evident in the current cabinet.
“Out of fifteen members, five are women, and various communities are represented. I find this commendable,” she said.
Aryal also appreciated the inclusion of Sita Badi from the Badi community as a positive aspect.
“Energetic youth have joined, including members of the Vigilant Campaign advocating structural reforms. It seems like entirely vibrant leadership has arrived,” she said.
Aryal also confirmed that during Balendra Shah’s tenure as mayor, there was no involvement in any financial irregularities.
Decisions of the First Cabinet Meeting
Image Source, RSS
The newly formed cabinet’s first meeting decided to implement the recommendations of the commission led by Gauribahadur Karki, which was established to investigate the Janajati Gun Movement.
Sasmita Pokharel, Minister of Education, Science and Technology and government spokesperson, shared this information after the meeting.
According to Pokharel, a study committee will be formed for matters related to security agencies, and work will begin following the committee’s recommendations.
Regarding other aspects, instructions have been given to relevant bodies to immediately implement the commission’s recommendations.
The meeting also approved a list of 100 governance reforms, which will be made public on Saturday.
Ministers Ranging from Singers to Writers and Experts
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has retained the Defense, Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Ministries. He is a former mayor of Kathmandu Valley, a singer, and an engineer elected from Jhapa Constituency No. 5.
Swarnim Wagle, elected from Tanahun Constituency No. 2 and deputy chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), manages the Finance Ministry.
Wagle, an economist who was formerly affiliated with Nepali Congress, also served as former vice-chair of the National Planning Commission.
Sudhan Gurung, elected from Gorkha Constituency No. 1 and appointed Home Minister, has extensive experience in social work and was active in the organization ‘Hami Nepal.’
Shishir Khanal, who handled the Education Ministry under RSP, is now the Foreign Minister, elected from Kathmandu Constituency No. 6.
Khanal is the head of RSP’s international department and has contributed to education through the organization Teach for Nepal.
Engineer Sunil Lamsal, who worked as an infrastructure adviser to Balendra Shah, oversees the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development.
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, elected from Kathmandu Constituency No. 8, heads the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.
Shrestha began his political career with the Bibeksheel Party and has previously served as the Minister of Youth and Sports.
Khadkaraj Paudel, elected from Kaski Constituency No. 1, holds the Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Ministry.
Paudel is also a writer and had previously contested the mayoral election of Pokhara in 2022 but was unsuccessful.
Sasmita Pokharel, Minister of Education, Science and Technology and Youth and Sports, was elected from Kathmandu Constituency No. 5. She served as an urban planning advisor during Balendra Shah’s mayoral tenure.
Proportional representation MP Nisha Mehta was appointed Minister of Health and Drinking Water. She is trained in nursing and was listed in the proportional representation list in 2022.
Former journalist Bikram Timilsina from Nuwakot Constituency No. 1 has been appointed Minister of Communication and Information Technology.
Pratibha Rawal, a proportional representation MP and former journalist, oversees the Ministry of Federal Affairs, General Administration, Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation.
Sovita Gautam, elected from Chitwan Constituency No. 3, manages the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. She too has a background in journalism.
Geeta Chaudhary holds the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Development, and Forests and Environment. She entered RSP from CPN-UML.
She has been providing legal assistance to marginalized and impoverished Tharu communities.
Deepak Kumar Sah, elected by defeating former Labor, Employment, and Social Security Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari in Mahottari Constituency No. 2, has 23 years of experience in the hydropower sector.
Sita Badi from the Badi community leads the Ministry of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens. She is active in social work and journalism.