A standing committee meeting of the CPN-UML has vested Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli with the authority to pick Cabinet members.

The meeting held at Prime Minister's official residence in Baluwatar has identified geography, inclusiveness and efficiency as criteria for the minister appointment, said the UML Secretary and Chief of party Publicity Department, Yogesh Bhattarai.

The decision of handing over the authority to PM Oli to appoint ministers was based on discussions among leaders of the CPN (Maoist Centre), the Sanghya Samajwadi Forum Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party, he said.

Likewise, the meeting approved the seven-point party unification agreement struck on February 19 as a positive basis for the unification of the UML and the Maoist Centre. RSS