KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bamdev Gautam on Monday assumed office of the Ministry of Agricultural Development amid a brief function at the ministry. He told officials that he would be busier at home ministry affairs as he had lots of responsibilities there. He stated that it would be difficult for him to manage time for agriculture ministry, but would try his best. During the programme, he defended former agriculture minister Hari Parajuli, claiming that the latter had contributed to country’s agriculture sector for more than a decade. He was forced to resign due to media, he said. Parajuli, who was recommended by Gautam as agriculture minister, had resigned after images of him hugging some women during paddy celebrations went viral online.

37 youths feted

Lalitpur: The Ministry of Youth and Sports on Monday feted 37 youths with ‘Youth Talent and Youth Entrepreneur Motivation Award-2072’ for their exemplary contributions in nation's development.The youths aged between 16 and 40 were selected based on the working procedure related to Youth Talent Search and Motivation prepared by MoYS. A purse of Rs 50,000 was awarded to each.

Man swindles nephew

KATHMANDU: The Metropolitan Police Crime Division on Sunday arrested Ganesh Bahadur Khanal, 33, of Thakani VDC, Sindhupalchowk, at Kusunti, Lalitpur, for swindling his nephew Rameshwor Chaulagain, 30. Khanal had managed to swindle 1.6 million rupees from Chaulagain with a promise of arranging a post of investigation officer at the National Investigation Department.