KATHMANDU: The government has claimed it will save around Rs 20 billion annually by reducing the number of federal ministries as part of its administrative reform agenda.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday to mark the government’s first 100 days in office, government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel said the number of federal ministries had been reduced from 25 to 18 under the government’s policy reform programme.
Pokharel said the restructuring has also resulted in the formation of a 17-member Council of Ministers, significantly reducing the state’s administrative expenditure.
He added that the decision to streamline the ministerial structure fulfills a key commitment made by the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party in its election manifesto.
Despite the overall reduction in ministries, Pokharel said the government has established a new Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
He also said the government has decided to abolish trade unions as part of its broader institutional and policy reform initiative.
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