Kathmandu— Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah signed performance contracts on Wednesday with seventeen of his cabinet ministers, setting forth specific tasks and expected achievements for the current fiscal year. The signing ceremony took place at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, and included agreements focused on good governance, social justice, and national prosperity. Chief Secretary Gobinda Bahadur Karkee also signed a performance agreement with the Prime Minister.

Agreement Scope

The performance contracts cover a broad range of governmental portfolios, including finance, foreign affairs, energy, home affairs, law, science, technology, women’s issues, land management, health, education, culture, tourism, information, agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. The agreements aim to establish clear expectations and accountability for ministers in delivering key policy objectives during the fiscal year.

Key Ministerial Signatories

Among those signing the agreements were Dr. Swarnim Wagle (Finance), Shisir Khanal (Foreign Affairs), Biraj Bhakta Shrestha (Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation), Sudan Gurung (Home Affairs), Sobita Gautam (Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs), and Mahabir Pun (Science, Technology and Innovation). Other signatories included ministers responsible for women’s affairs, land management, health, education, culture, information, agriculture, and industry.

Absentee Ministers

Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal was unable to attend the signing ceremony due to illness. Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramjee Yadav did not participate as he was attending a parliamentary session.

The agreements represent an effort by Prime Minister Shah to enhance governmental efficiency and ensure ministers are held accountable for achieving defined objectives throughout the fiscal year.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.