CPN-UML lawmaker Raghuji Pant has been appointed minister for education, science and technology.

The Office of the President issued on Wednesday evening informed that President Ramchandra Paudel made changes in the council of ministers as recommended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The post became vacant after outgoing minister Bidya Bhattarai tendered her resignation on Monday.

Pant, a standing committee member of the UML, had earlier served as labour minister.

Prime Minister Oli meanwhile dismissed Purna Bahadur (Kanchha Ram) Tamang, the minister of State for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation from the position.

The decision comes after Tamang reportedly refused to apologise for his remarks criticising the removal of former Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) chief Kulman Ghising.

Tamang had publicly voiced dissatisfaction over Ghising’s removal and demanded accountability within the ministry. His clash with secretary of the ministry Suresh Acharya over a programme boycott escalated tensions. Tamang had even issued a 24-hour clarification notice to the secretary.

The prime minister, reportedly displeased by this, relieved him of his duties on Wednesday.

Tamang was appointed to the position on August 2 last year. His dismissal follows a series of disputes that highlighted growing friction within the ministry amid ongoing discussions about the Arun-3 hydropower project and broader energy cooperation with India.