Koshi Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki on Friday expanded his Cabinet, inducting three new ministers and a minister of state from the Nepali Congress.

Province Head Parshuram Khapung administered the oath of office to the ministers in accordance with Article 168(9) of the constitution.

Bhupendra Rai has been inducted into the Cabinet as Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development; Khagen Singh Hangam as Minister for Industry, Agriculture, and Cooperatives; and Sadanand Mandal as Minister for Tourism, Forest, and Environment.

Bhumi Prasad Rajbanshi was sworn in as the Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure Development.

The oath ceremony was attended by Provincial Assembly Speaker Ambar Bahadur Bista, various provincial ministers, security officials and secretaries from various ministries, among others.

On July 26, the Maoist Centre exited from the Koshi government. Four party ministers, including a minister of state, quit the government following a change in alliance at the centre. However, no new ministers were inducted to date.

The delay in Cabinet expansion has stalled the Koshi Assembly.

The assembly, which was adjourned on June 22 after passing the fiscal budget, has yet to convene.

CPN-UML’s Hikmat Karki was appointed the chief minister on May 9.