Finance Ministry Undergoes Dynamic Transformation: Directors General of Two Key Departments Shuffled

Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has recently instigated a comprehensive overhaul within the Ministry of Finance (MoF), marking significant changes in key leadership positions. Just three weeks into assuming the role of Minister for Finance, Pun orchestrated a series of pivotal adjustments, particularly within the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and the Department of Customs (DoC), both widely regarded as influential agencies operating under the MoF.

Under the purview of these reforms, Joint Secretary Shiva Lal Tiwari has been appointed as the new Director General of the IRD. However, this appointment necessitated the reassignment of the incumbent director general of IRD, Dr. Bhupal Baral, who had assumed the position merely two months prior under the tenure of former Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat. Dr. Baral has been redeployed to the Ministry of Forest and Environment, following a decision made during a recent session of the Council of Ministers.

Simultaneously, Dhundi Prasad Niraula has been designated as the new director general of the DoC. Sobhakant Paudel, the outgoing director general, has been reassigned to the Public Finance Management Training Center.

Moreover, as part of these restructuring endeavors, Ram Prasad Acharya, formerly heading the Training Center, has been appointed to a key position within the MoF. Minister Pun, during the latest Council of Ministers meeting, facilitated the relocation of Tiwari, Niraula, and Narayan Prasad Sapkota to the MoF. Sapkota, who had previously served as the Director General of the DoC from August 19, 2021, to February 14, is among the personnel relocated.

Further reinforcing these organizational reforms, Uttar Kumar Khatri, who previously led the Budget Division, has been transitioned to head the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division.