KATHMANDU: The government appointed incumbent National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Govinda Raj Pokhrel, Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority.

A Cabinet meeting held on Thursday appointed Pokhrel to the post.

Meanwhile, the government appointed Home Minister Bamdev Gautam, Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat, Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Kripasur Sherpa and Urban Development Minister Narayan Khadka members of the Authority.

Geologist Tara Nidhi Bhattarai is also appointed a member of the Authority.

Talking to THT Online over phone after the appointment, Pokhrel said, "I will work in collaboration with all concerned agencies."

"The Authority will begin its works at the earliest," he added.

The Authority, to be chaired by the Prime Minister, is mandated to oversee all reconstruction works in the earthquake-hit districts where physical infrastructures have been damaged.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to recommend President Ram Baran Yadav to appoint Lieutenant General Rajendra Chhetri as new Chief of Army Staff to be effective September 10.

Chhetri has been working as the Acting CoAS since August 10 after the incumbent CoAS Gaurav Shumsher Rana decided to take a customary leave before a month of his retirement.