KATHMANDU: Rameshwar Chaudhary, Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment of Sudurpaschim Province, has been dismissed from his post.

The decision to remove him was made during Thursday’s meeting of the provincial cabinet.

The Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that Minister Chaudhary was relieved of his duties following a cabinet decision.

Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah has now taken the ministry under his own control.

A few days earlier, CM Shah had asked Chaudhary to resign from his position. However, Chaudhary—who was appointed as minister from the Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) on May 18—refused to step down.

Chaudhary’s name had been linked to a group accused of collecting money from farmers under the pretense of distributing power tillers under subsidy while he was serving as Agriculture Minister.

In connection with the case, police have arrested several individuals, including Sushila Khadka of Krishnapur Municipality–8 in Kanchanpur, and are continuing the investigation.

Previously, former NUP Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment, Laxman Kishor Chaudhary, had resigned after being implicated in a financial misconduct case involving plans to manipulate the Sustainable Forest Management procedure.

Following Laxman Kishor’s resignation, NUP had nominated Rameshwar Chaudhary to replace him.