Cabinet Decisions: PM’s US Visit Approved, Two Joint Secretaries Promoted

Kathmandu, Sept. 10: The government has approved the visit of a Nepali delegation led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting held on Thursday and announced by Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel while briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions.

Minister Pokharel said the Nepali delegation, led by Prime Minister Shah, has been approved to participate in the 81st UN General Assembly from September 22 to 26.

The Cabinet has also decided to form a Nepali negotiating team to participate in the meeting of the Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) to be held in New Delhi, India.

Similarly, the Cabinet, based on a proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs, has given in-principle approval to draft a bill aimed at controlling unfair transactions, commonly known as “meter interest” (loan sharking). The proposed legislation is intended to establish a legal mechanism to provide justice to citizens affected by meter-interest practices.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, the government also approved the list of poor households from five districts.

According to Minister Pokharel, a total of 17,438 poor households from 27 local levels in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Saptari and Dang districts have been included in the approved list.

The Cabinet also appointed office bearers to vacant positions at the Teacher Service Commission based on a proposal from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

According to Minister Pokharel, Dr. Hari Prasad Lamsal of Bhaktapur has been appointed chairperson of the commission. Ram Sharan Sapkota of Makwanpur has been appointed a member, while Bishnu Ghimire (Rimal) of Kathmandu has been appointed as the woman member.

On the administrative front, the Cabinet promoted two joint secretaries to the Gazetted Special Class (Secretary) level and appointed them as chief secretaries of provinces.

Joint Secretary Binod Bahadur Kunwar has been promoted to secretary and appointed Chief Secretary of Lumbini Province. Similarly, Joint Secretary Uttarkumar Khatri has been promoted to secretary and appointed Chief Secretary of Sudurpaschim Province.