Bagmati Province Moves to Downsize Ministries for Efficient Governance

To cut costs and streamline administration, the Bagmati Province government has decided to reduce the number of ministries. A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday approved a plan to bring down the existing 14 ministries to eight, according to government spokesperson and Minister for Economic Affairs and Planning, Prabhat Tamang.

Tamang stated that the decision aims to minimize public expenditure while strengthening fiscal discipline. Under the new structure, the province will operate with eight ministries, including the Office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The restructuring follows recommendations made by an administrative reform review committee led by former secretary Bimal Wagle. The committee had advised reducing the number of ministries to enhance efficiency, improve manageability, and ensure economic sustainability. It also pointed out that the earlier expansion of ministries was driven more by political considerations than by functional needs.

As per the new framework, the ministries will include Internal Affairs, Law and Cooperatives; Economic Affairs and Planning; Drinking Water, Energy and Irrigation; Industry, Tourism, Labour and Transport; Health and Social Development; Physical Infrastructure Development; and Agriculture, Livestock, Forest and Environment.

In addition to ministry downsizing, the government plans to scale back its administrative footprint by cutting 50 out of the existing 198 offices. This move is expected to save approximately Rs 5 billion, which officials say will be redirected toward capital formation and development projects.

The changes will take effect in the upcoming fiscal year, starting in the month of Saun. The current Council of Ministers will continue in its existing structure until then, Tamang clarified.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet has also formed a committee to conduct an Organization and Management (ONM) survey aimed at restructuring and adjusting staff within the new system. The committee, coordinated by the Secretary of the Law Division at the Chief Minister’s Office, has been tasked with submitting its recommendations before the start of the next fiscal year.