KATHMANDU: The cabinet meeting on Monday appointed Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada as the vice-chairperson of the National Planning Commission.

The post had fallen vacant after Dr Guna Nidhi Sharma resigned last month. Dr Sharma, who was appointed by the Prachanda-led government, had tendered his resignation on moral grounds after the appointment of Madhav Kumar Nepal as the new PM.

Dr Khatiwada previously served in the National Planning Commission as its member from 2002 till 2004. He also worked with the Nepal Rastra Bank for 25 years. Dr Khatiwada was born in 1956 in Taplejung district. He got his PhD degree from India.

Speaking to this daily after his appointment to the post, Dr Khatiwada said his main priority would be poverty eradication, inclusive and sustainable development and transformation of dependent economy into an independent one. "My priority is to implement Common Minimum Programme of the coalition government at the earliest and provide relief to the people," he added. Dr Khatiwada said effective implementation and monitoring of the development project was necessary to achieve the goals of development.

Dr Khatiwada said there was a need to restructure the National Planning Commission. "I think we need to restructure this commission to make it even more effective. But I will be busy right away in preparing budget for the coming fiscal year," he added.

The government, however, is yet to appoint other members of the commission.