The government has decided to downsize the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers by 68 posts.

A Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to approve the Organisation and Management (O & M) survey and the proposal to restructure the office.

Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, who is also the government spokesperson, said now with proposal approved, a total of 68 positions within the prime minister’s office will be cut. Those employed in the positions will be transferred to other government agencies.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in his address to the nation on Tuesday had announced his intent to make structural changes in the prime minister’s office.

Thursday’s decision has come as per the prime minister’s commitment, Sharma said.

Likewise, the meeting has also decided to appoint Mahesh Bhattarai as the secretary of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).