KATHMANDU, JUNE 9

Newly appointed ministers Sudan Gurung and Mahabir Pun were sworn in on Tuesday after being inducted into the federal Cabinet by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Gurung as Home Minister and Pun as Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation at a special ceremony held at the President’s Office, Shital Niwas.

Prime Minister Shah expanded the Cabinet earlier in the day, appointing Gurung to lead the Home Ministry and innovation campaigner Pun to head the newly designated science, technology and innovation portfolio.

Gurung, a member of the House of Representatives elected from Gorkha-1 on a Rastriya Swatantra Party ticket, returns to the Home Ministry after stepping down from the post in April amid questions over his financial dealings. The government recently received the report of a high-level probe committee formed to investigate the matter.

Pun, an independent lawmaker elected from Myagdi, is widely recognised for his contributions to innovation, technology and social entrepreneurship. He has previously served as a Education Minister in the interim government.

Vice-President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Shah, Chief Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, ministers, lawmakers, leaders of political parties and heads of constitutional bodies attended the swearing-in ceremony.