July 4: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has reshuffled the Council of Ministers. Upon his recommendation,  President Bidya Devi Bhandari has made changes to the existing Council of Ministers in accordance with Article 76 (9) and Article 78 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal.

Accordingly, Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav has been appointed the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mohammad Ishtiyak Rai as the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Pradip Yadav as the Minister for Forests and Environment.

The new ministers were appointed after Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal recalled three ministers who were representing the party in the Council of Ministers and recommended the new ministers in their place.

Before the cabinet reshuffle, Renu Yadav was the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Ram Sahaya Yadav was the Minister for Forests and Environment and Mahindra Raya Yadav was the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development.

The newly-appointed ministers are scheduled to take oath of office and secrecy today afternoon itself. President Bhandari had made changes to the existing Council of Ministers on June 26 before this. -- RSS