Minister Yadav admits poor performance, hints of being replaced

Kathmandu / Mar 15: The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Matrika Prasad Yadav hinted that he might be axed from his ministerial portfolio if Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is to reshuffle his cabinet.

While Yadav admitted of poor performance, he said he hadn’t taken wrong decisions either. “I have not misused my power and position. If anyone is able to show that, I am ready to face consequences – including death.”

At present, there are talks that the prime minister could make some changes in his cabinet after assessing their work before the Investment Summit.

Around six ministers, including Yadav, had fallen short in an evaluation by the work assessment department under the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

Oli has already spoken to the co-chairperson of Nepal Communist Party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal. On March 12, at Biratnagar, Dahal said that a change could be a prospect but would “depend on the prime minister’s assessment over the performance of his cabinet colleagues”.

Speaking at the Consumer Rights Day, Yadav lamented that the decision of a potential shuffle had led the government staffers under his ministry to disobey him.

If he is to be removed from the ministry, Yadav said that he’d work to protect consumer rights from the parliament and as a common citizen.