President Ramchandra Paudel on Wednesday administered the oath of office and secrecy to new province heads.

Sumitra Bhandari of Madhesh Province, Dilli Raj Bhatta of Gandaki and Najir Miya of Sudurpaschim were sworn in at the President’s Office in the presence of Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire and National Assembly chair Narayan Prasad Dahal among others.

Earlier today, President Paudel removed three province heads on the government’s recommendation and appointed new ones.

The President relieved Hari Shankar Mishra of Madhesh province, Prithviman Gurung of Gandaki and Dev Raj Joshi of Sudurpaschim of their responsibilities.

President Paudel relieved the province heads of their duties as per Article 165 (1) (b) of the constitution on the government’s recommendation to that effect, the Office of the President said in a notice.

A Cabinet meeting on Monday decided to replace province heads in the provinces as they were appointed under the quota of the Nepali Congress when the party was in the ruling coalition. The same Cabinet meeting had also recommended the Head of State to appoint new heads.

The government recommended dismissing them following the changes in the federal government.

The changes were made to ensure that the provincial governments work in line with the decisions made by the federal government, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, who is also the government’s spokesperson, had said after the Cabinet meeting.