KATHMANDU: Newly appointed Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhagwati Neupane, took the oath of office and secrecy at a special ceremony held at the presidential residence, Sheetal Niwas, this evening.

Neupane was administered the oath by President Ram Chandra Paudel, a day after her appointment by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The ceremony was attended by key state dignitaries including Prime Minister Oli himself, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav, National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Dahal, and other high-level officials.

Neupane replaces outgoing minister Rajkumar Gupta, who resigned following a bribery controversy.