Kathmandu, May 6 -- Nepal's federal government is preparing to reduce the number of ministries from 21 to 17, following a recommendation by a committee formed by the prime minister.

Officials at the Prime Minister's Office said the government is moving ahead with the proposal, which involves scrapping four ministries as part of a broader administrative restructuring. Economists estimate the move could save the state between Rs160 billion and Rs200 billion annually.

The expansion of Cabinets in past governments-often driven by coalition politics and the need to accommodate multiple parties-has long drawn criticism for inflating administrative costs and weakening efficiency.

According to the committee, some ministries will be merged, oth...