25 people working in PM's Secretariat, details made public

A total of 25 people are working in Prime Minister Balen Shah's advisory group, expert team and personal secretariat, according to details made public on Friday.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers published the list on its website, including their names, responsibilities and the benefits they receive. Previously, only the number of people appointed to the secretariat had been disclosed; this time their names and responsibilities have also been revealed.

According to the details, three people receive minister-equivalent benefits and two receive state minister-equivalent benefits. Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjankar and Political Advisor Asim Shah hold minister-equivalent rank. Professor Dr Jagdish Prasad Agrawal, the health advisor under the expert group, also holds minister-equivalent status.

Byanjankar and Agrawal are providing their services without taking a salary. Policy, Administration and Good Governance Advisor Sudip Dhakal and Information and Communication Technology Advisor Vivek Mishra have been given state minister-equivalent benefits.

The responsibility of chief personal secretary, at the rank of special class gazetted officer, has been given to Suvas Sharma. The remaining members include various administrative and technical-level advisors, experts and personal staff.