Government's six months: progress report made public, opposition criticizes

The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has completed six months in office. Marking the occasion, the Prime Minister's Secretariat made public a progress report on Tuesday. PM Shah was appointed on Chaitra 13.

According to the secretariat's report, the Business Allocation Rules have been approved, reducing the number of ministries from 22 to 18. The government said boards, committees and projects that had no work or overlapping responsibilities have been scrapped or restructured.

A "zero pending files" week was run at government offices, and a 100-point governance reform agenda has been implemented, according to the report. The government said performance agreements have been signed with secretaries based on performance indicators. It also said passport and citizenship services can now be obtained from any district.

Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said work in the first year is focused on good governance, and that all ministries have signed separate performance agreements with the prime minister. He said it is up to the public to evaluate the government's work.

Opposition parties, however, have strongly criticized the government's performance. CPN-UML Chief Whip Ain Mahar said the initial enthusiasm in parliament has turned into disappointment, accusing the government of being caught up in cheap popularity.

Nepal Communist Party Chief Whip Yuvraj Dulal said citizens are being forced to stand in queues for gas, hospitals and passports. He called the recruitment of large secretariats and advisers in ministries unjustified.