Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday administered the oath of office and secrecy to three ministers of state.

Arun Kumar Chaudhary of the Nagarik Unmukti Party was sworn in as minister of state for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation at a function at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Chaudhary is the parliamentary party leader of the Nagarik Unmukti Party.

Likewise, Rupa BK and Purna Bahadur Tamang of the Nepali Congress took the oath as the state minister for Forest and Environment and the state minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, respectively. Ministers of state don’t attend Cabinet meetings.

Earlier today, President Ramchandra Paudel appointed them to the position on the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli.

With the latest appointment, the prime minister has given full shape to his Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers is now 25-strong, the maximum size allowed by the constitution. The prime minister formed a 22-member Cabinet on July 15, the day he was sworn in.