Lumbini Province Plans to Reduce Ministries to Eight

Lumbini Province is preparing to reduce the number of ministries from 12 to eight beginning from the next fiscal year, as the provincial government moves to streamline administrative operations and cut public spending.

A Cabinet meeting chaired on Friday by Chief Minister Chetanarayan Acharya decided to push forward with the restructuring plan by directing an organizational and management survey committee to quickly review the existing ministerial structure and submit its report. The move is part of the government’s broader effort to make governance more efficient, faster, and cost-effective.

The decision signals a major administrative change in the province at a time when provincial governments are facing increasing pressure to improve service delivery while reducing operational costs.

Cabinet Pushes Ahead With Ministry Reduction Plan

The provincial Cabinet instructed the organizational and management survey committee to complete a review of the current structure of ministries and prepare recommendations for restructuring before the new fiscal year begins in mid-July.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives Dinesh Panthi said the committee had been tasked with preparing a report related to the reduction in the number of ministries.

The province currently operates 12 ministries, but the government now plans to bring that number down to eight. Officials say the restructuring process is intended to improve coordination among ministries and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.

Committee Asked to Prepare Structural Amendments

The survey committee, led by Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Kapri, had already been formed earlier. The Cabinet has now directed the body to submit a detailed report along with proposed amendments to the provincial rules governing the division of responsibilities among ministries.

The recommendations are expected to play a key role in determining how departments, staff, and responsibilities will be reorganized under the smaller ministerial structure.

The government believes the review will help identify overlaps in work and improve institutional efficiency within the provincial administration.

Vehicle Renewal Services Expanded to More Districts

The Cabinet meeting also approved a proposal from the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Transport related to vehicle renewal and transport services.

Under the new arrangement, districts that do not have transport management offices will still be able to provide certain vehicle-related services from the upcoming fiscal year.

The decision allows district-level offices responsible for cottage and small industries to provide services such as:

• Renewal of vehicle registration books
• Temporary route permit services

The government said the arrangement is intended to improve public access to transport services in remote districts where transport offices are not available.

Several District Offices to Handle Transport Services

According to the Cabinet decision, the services will be operated through cottage and small industry offices in multiple districts.

The districts included in the decision are:

• Gulmi
• Arghakhanchi
• Pyuthan
• Rolpa
• Rukum East
• Bardiya

In Dang district, the same services will also be provided through the cottage and small industry office in addition to existing arrangements.

Officials expect the move to reduce travel burdens for service seekers and improve administrative accessibility outside major urban centers.

Provincial Secretaries Assigned New Responsibilities

The Cabinet also made decisions related to senior administrative appointments within the provincial government.

Narayan Prasad Aryal has been assigned responsibility as secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.

Similarly, Sushila Aryal has been appointed secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law.

The reshuffle comes as the provincial government prepares for broader structural and administrative adjustments linked to the ministry reduction plan.

Policy and Financial Procedures Sent for Further Review

Several policy-related proposals were also discussed during the meeting.

The Cabinet approved procedures related to study leave and prior approval for academic study. In addition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning was authorized to forward regulations related to provincial financial accountability and procedures to the administration and legislation committee for further discussion.

The decisions are part of ongoing efforts to revise provincial administrative and financial systems ahead of the new fiscal year.

Forest and Environmental Proposals Also Advanced

The Ministry of Forests and Environment also received Cabinet approval to move forward with additional policy measures.

The meeting decided to recommend the transfer of religious forests to the federal government. Another proposal related to the cutting, use, transportation, sale, distribution, and monitoring of trees in private forests was also forwarded to the concerned committee for further review.

The provincial government said the proposals are intended to improve regulatory management and oversight in the forestry sector while ensuring proper administrative procedures are followed.