Nepal, Aug. 22 -- After weeks of wrangling over ministerial berths, Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Khag Raj Bhatta expanded his Cabinet on Thursday, appointing three ministers and two state ministers from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP).

Om Bikram Bhat 'Saral' has been appointed Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, Prakash Rawal Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, and Khushiram Chaudhary Minister for Internal Affairs. Bhatta had been handling all three ministries himself since taking office.

Janaki Kunwar Paudel has been appointed State Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development, while Indira Giri has been appointed State Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment. Province Chief...