KATHMANDU, Jan 19:President Bidya Devi Bhandari is scheduled to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed Province Chiefs at a special ceremony at the President House, Shital Niwas, at 4 pm today, the Office of the President has stated.

The government on Wednesday appointed Govinda Subba as chief of Province 1, Ratneshwor Lal Kayastha as chief of Province 2, Anuradha Koirala as chief of Province 3, Baburam Kunwar as chief of Province 4, Umakantha Jha as chief of Province 5, Durga Keshar Khanal as chief of Province 6 an Mohan Raj Malla as chief of Province 7.

KATHMANDU, Jan 17: The Nepali Congress-led government finally on Wednesday appointed the province chiefs all seven provinces. A cabinet meeting held late in the afternoon finalized the chiefs, sharing the seven top posts between itself and Madhes-based parties.

The meeting appointed Govinda Subba as the province chief of Province 1, Ratneshwor Lal Kayastha as chief of Province 2, Anuradha Koirala as chief of Province 3, Babumram Kunwar as chief of Province 4, Uma Kantha Jha as chief of Province 5, Durga Keshar Khanal as chief of Province 6 and Mohan Raj Malla as chief of Province 7.

Govinda Subba hails from Dhankuta. Subba is a former professor of English Tribhuvan University. He started his political journey from ANSFU and later joined Nepali Congress after the Referendum. He also contested for the mayors’ post in Dharan with the party ticket.

Ratneshwor Lal Kayastha is a former secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and the incumbent secretary of Federal Socialist Forum Nepal. He has also served as the member of National Planning Commission.

Anuradha Koirala is a social activist. She is the founder and director of Maiti Nepal-a non-profit organization, dedicated to helping the victims of sex-trafficking. Koirala previously served as the minister during the royal regime. She is also the winner of CNN Hero Award 2010 and the India’s prestigious fourth highest civilian award Padma Shree in 2017. She is also the winner of Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu Medal (1999), the Courage of Conscience Award from The Peace Abbey Foundation (2006), German UNIFEM Prize (2007) and Queen Sofia Silver Medal Award (2007).

Baburam Kunwar is the former Attorney General under the NC government led by Sushil Koirala. He is also the former chairman of Democratic Lawyers’ Association.

Uma Kanth Jha is the former Health secretary and Health Minister at the Khil Raj Regmi-led government. He is the in-law of Rastriya Janata Party coordinator Mahantha Thakur.

Durga Keshar Khanal is a former member of National Assembly from Nepali Congress. He has served in teaching profession for a long time.

Mohan Raj Malla is a former state minister and parliamentarian of the National Panchyat. Malla started his political career from Rastriya Prajatantra Party. He recently joined NC.

KATHMANDU, Jan 17: The cabinet is scheduled to meet again 3:00 pm today to hold further discussions about the appointment of province chiefs and naming of temporary province capitals.

The Cabinet meeting took place this morning at 9:30 am at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar. But due to lack of sufficient preparation, the cabinet meeting was rescheduled.

The cabinet meeting is likely to decide on province chiefs and temporary venues today. Deuba is said to be nominate two governors each as recommended by NC, UML and the Maoist Center while the one in Province 2 would be suggested by the two Madhes-based parties.

Initially the meeting was scheduled for yesterday, but Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba had postponed the meeting for today morning to hold consultations with major political parties regarding the province chiefs and capitals.

The meeting has been rescheduled bearing in mind suggestions for further consultations on the matters, according to Minister for Information and Communications, Mohan Bahadur Basnet.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba held a meeting with the Nepali Congress leaders and Federal Socialist Forum Chair Upendra Yadav about the issues.

KATHMANDU, Jan 14: The Election Commission on Monday has said that the government should appoint province chiefs within six days, warning that the National Assembly election cannot be conducted on the scheduled date if the government fails to name governors before January 21.

The EC issued a six-day ultimatum since the government failed to appoint province chiefs despite frequent request from the election body. The government has scheduled NA election for February 7.

The Election Commission is planning to announce voters’ list for National Assembly election on Sunday.

The Electoral College for the National Assembly consists of province assembly members and chiefs and deputy chiefs of local government. And, to announce the electors, the province assembly members should be sworn-in by the province chiefs. Therefore, the province chiefs should be appointed by Friday, according to the EC.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that due to delay in appointment of chiefs, legal complexities related to election has been surfaced.

He added that the EC would be compelled to forward its activities without hampering National Assembly election process scheduled for February 7 if provincial chiefs are not appointed till January 21.

Due to government’s delay in appointing chiefs, the EC has not been able to publish the proportional representative election results.

Meanwhile, the government has said that it will appoint province chiefs within next three days.

KATHMANDU, Jan 12: The Election Commission (EC) on Friday urged the government to nominate  province chief in the seven provinces.

The EC meeting held Friday urged the government to take the decision to this effect as the EC has to send the result of the provincial elections to the province chiefs. The EC has not announced the result of provincial election in absence of the state chiefs. RSS

DHANGADHI, Jan 12: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the government was exercising to forge political consensus for the nomination of province chiefs and naming temporary province capitals.

In a press meet organized by the Nepal Press Union, Kailai chapter in Dhangadhi Airport on Friday, PM Deuba said that he was exercising to forge consensus but there were slim chances for the same.

He further added that he will work out again to forge consensus after returning to the capital city but the government would move ahead if his efforts failed.

Prime Minister Deuba clarified that he was ready to quit the government at the earlierst but the responsibly of holding national assembly election was delaying his exit.

PM Deuba, who is also the President of Nepali Congress, said that NC will remain in opposition in the days ahead. RSS

KATHMANDU, Jan 12: The government has once again failed to name the temporary province capitals and governors. The cabinet meeting held on Friday was expected to take the decision.

The Election Commission has not been able to publish the final results of province assembly members due to the delay in appointment of province chiefs.

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KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Nepali Congress leader and former Defense Minister Bal Krishna Khand has said that the government has already started making necessary preparation to fix temporary province capitals and appoint province chiefs.

Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Tuesday, leader Khand said, “Appointment of province chiefs was delayed because earlier CPN-UML stated that it would not take oath from the governors the incumbent government appointed. But later, the UML told us that it was government’s duty.”

“It is also essential to fix temporary province capitals to administer office of oath and secrecy to the newly appointed province chiefs. We have also started necessary preparations for the same,” he added.

“Permanent province capitals can be later fixed by the province assemblies.”

Minister Khand further said that they have suggested Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba not to recommend any province chiefs from Nepali Congress leaders or cadres to avoid tensions in the futures.

“We have advised PM Deuba to choose popular and clean personalities. Preparations for the same are being carries out,” he said.

“The cabinet will soon appoint governors,” assured Khand.

He also said that delay in government formation process was not due to the Election Commission.”It is necessary to elect upper house first to complete the federal parliament. UML should understand this.