Innovation Ministry gets to work under new leadership

KATHMANDU: Newly established Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has formally begun institutional and policy-level work following its creation under the government’s latest restructuring of ministerial responsibilities.

The ministry was formed after the government separated the science and technology portfolio from the former Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and expanded its mandate to include innovation.

Independent lawmaker Mahabir Pun assumed office as the ministry’s first minister on Tuesday.

Engineer Pramila Bajracharya, who recently took charge as secretary, said the ministry has started operations from the office previously occupied by the Ministry of Youth and Sports within Singha Durbar.

Recognizing that the ministry is being built from the ground up, Minister Pun’s first decision after taking office was to initiate an Organization and Management (O&M) Survey to determine the ministry’s structure and staffing requirements.

Secretary Bajracharya said the ministry is effectively starting from “zero,” with foundational systems still being developed.

A template for the ministry’s official website has already been prepared and submitted to the Department of Information Technology, and the site is expected to go live within 72 hours due to technical procedures.

The ministry is currently operating with 24 staff positions, although officials say the workforce is expected to expand once a new organizational structure is approved.

In a move reflecting his commitment to the new institution, Minister Pun has also relocated to Singha Durbar and will maintain his official residence within the ministry premises while overseeing its establishment and operations.