How is the Newly Established Ministry of Innovation Functioning?

May 28, Kathmandu – On April 13, the government decided to reduce the number of federal ministries from 22 to 18, aiming to improve administrative efficiency, maintain fiscal discipline, reduce unnecessary operational expenses, and enhance performance management.

Along with the elimination of four ministries, the government formed a new ministry called the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Prioritizing technology and innovation, the government separated the Science and Technology Department from the former Education Ministry and established a dedicated ministry to oversee innovation-related activities.

Initially, there was no mention of creating a ministry focused on innovation during the restructuring process. Former Education Minister Mahavir Pun, who has long advocated for this, expressed concerns at the time.

“From what I see on social media, the current government has not shown a clear commitment to science, technology, research, and innovation,” he stated. “There was a plan to place innovation under the Ministry of Industry, which would weaken the existence of a dedicated Ministry of Science and Technology.”

At that stage, external sources had not indicated any announcement about forming this new ministry; in fact, the government had plans to limit itself to 17 ministries.

Facing growing criticism, the government reversed its stance and decided to establish 18 ministries, adding the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Subsequently, the former minister Mahavir Pun expressed satisfaction with the decision. He had also raised this demand in recent parliamentary sessions and thanked the government for addressing his long-standing request.

On March 21, Pun wrote a letter to the Prime Minister urging the establishment of a Ministry of Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation.

In this letter, he stated that since the time of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, successive rulers and governments had failed to prioritize science, technology, and research, leaving the country economically impoverished.

He also noted that talented, creative, and innovative youth were leaving the country, which prevented the birth of entrepreneurs and creation of employment opportunities.

The government finally established this separate ministry dedicated to innovation, which currently operates under Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s purview.

What is happening now in the ministry that has separated from the Education Ministry? According to Hemraj Aryal, Joint Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, the ministry has begun working under its own letterhead.

Efforts to build the ministry’s organizational structure are ongoing within the premises of the former Ministry of Youth and Sports. The signage installation has been completed.

“The ministry has not yet moved into its own building. Once the Youth Ministry’s labor wing shifts and sports fully relocates to the Education Ministry, the Innovation Ministry will take over that building,” Aryal explained. “Although the board is installed, the ministry is still functioning under the Education Ministry’s structure pending completion of remaining arrangements.”

According to Shaileskumar Jhal, Joint Secretary of the former Science and Technology Division, daily operations have already started within the new ministry, though full independence will take some time to achieve.

This is because last fiscal year’s budget was allocated under the combined Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology. The new ministry does not yet have its own separate funding, so work is carried out using the previous ministry’s budget.

The building designated for the ministry’s relocation is not yet fully vacated, so employees from the Science and Technology Division continue to work from within the Education Ministry’s premises while also managing the new ministry’s functions.

The current arrangement is transitional, with the relocation process ongoing to establish a permanent solution.

Both divisions within the Science and Technology sector continue to conduct monitoring, policy work, and daily administrative tasks as scheduled.

“No work has been halted; all activities continue unabated. We have started working under the new ministry’s letterhead while remaining in the old premises,” Jhal said.

This fiscal year, expenditures are still processed through the Education Ministry’s budget system. Although the new ministry lacks a dedicated budget, work has not been impeded. From the next fiscal year, it will operate under its own budget, which the Ministry of Finance is currently preparing.

An organizational and management survey (ONM) is underway to define the ministry’s structure, including staffing levels, departments, and branches.

The Prime Minister’s Office is facilitating this process.

“Once the ONM is finalized and a secretary appointed (the position remains vacant since the division was transferred prior to restructuring), the ministry will become fully operational. Until then, other staff members are carrying out regular duties,” spokesman Aryal said.

Photos: Chandra Ale