The government on Thursday promoted General Purna Chandra Thapa as acting Chief of Nepal Army after August 10. The incumbent Nepal Army Chief General Rajendra Chhetri is all set to retire on September 11.

General Thapa is senior in hierarchy after General Chhetri. It is customary in Nepal Army that outgoing chief goes on leave one month prior to retirement. General Chhetri took command of the NA on September 11, 2015.  

The Cabinet meeting also decided to split the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperative into two in order to adjust the State Minister for Health, Padma Aryal who is facing an uneasy time working with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Uprendra Yadav.

The Cabinet decided to split the ministry in two—Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Land Management and Cooperatives. With the decision, the number of ministries has reached 22.

A source said that State Minister Aryal had complained that she is increasingly facing difficulties while working with DPM Yadav in the Health Ministry and urged Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to transfer her to another ministry so that she could work independently.

The source said Aryal would be given the charge of Ministry of Land Reform and Cooperatives.

Chakrapani Khanal, who heads the Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Cooperative as of now would lead the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock after the split. According to the Minister for Information and Communication Gokul Prasad Baskota the meeting also decided to scrap the present Press Council and would create a new structure called, Media Council.

The new council will have larger role to look after various aspects of the media. The meeting has approved a draft Bill in order to transfer the press council to media council.