Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Sunday reshuffled the nine-month-old government to include the Maoists members in the cabinet, DPA reported. The move came a day after the Maoists formally handed over seven names to the prime minister stating their intention to rejoin the government. The prime minister appointed five Maoist leaders, including its spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, as senior government ministers. However, two of the names proposed as junior ministers have not been included in the new cabinet. A press statement issued by the prime minister's office said Mahara had been given his previous ministry of Information and Communication. Three other senior Maoist leaders, who were part of the government until they withdrew in September - Matrika Yadav, Dev Gurung and Hishila Yami - have all been given back their previous portfolios. In addition, Maoist leader Pampha Bushal has been entrusted with the portfolio for Women, Children and Social Welfare. Other changes made to the cabinet includes the promotion of junior minister for transport Ramesh Lekhak and junior minister for water resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki to full ministers in the same ministries. The Nepalese cabinet now has 23 members including 18 ministers and four junior ministers. The new ministers are expected to be sworn in on Monday.
