Kathmandu, Aug. 13 -- Prime Minister Balendra Shah's 17-member council of ministers includes six women, or 35.29 percent of the cabinet. While the Khas-Arya community remains dominant, the cabinet also includes ministers from Madheshi, Janajati and Dalit communities, making the administration appear relatively inclusive at first glance.

However, appointments to constitutional and public bodies made on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, chaired by Shah, and through cabinet decisions tell a different story. Critics say the government has fallen short of the constitutional principle of proportional inclusion, with women, Madhehis and other marginalised communities poorly represented in key appointments across the state.

The ...