Nepal PM Removes Labour Minister for Appointing Wife to Health Insurance Board

Prime Minister Balendra Shah of Nepal has removed Labour, Employment and Social Security Minister Dip Kumar Sah from his post, just 15 days after assuming office.

The decision was taken following a recommendation from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). RSP president Rabi Lamichhane had urged Shah to take action against Sah for allegedly re-appointing his wife to the Health Insurance Board after her tenure had ended.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the RSP’s central disciplinary commission recommended Sah’s removal on Wednesday. Prime Minister’s Press Advisor Deepa Dahal confirmed the development to the media.

Prime Minister Shah has now taken direct charge of the Labour Ministry.

Rabi Lamichhane also recommended cautioning Health and Population Minister Nisha Mehta for not handling the re-appointment issue seriously. The Prime Minister has issued a warning to her accordingly.

In March, Balendra Shah (popularly known as Balen) and the RSP came to power after defeating traditional parties in the general elections that followed last year’s violent Gen Z protests demanding generational change and a corruption-free government.