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CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader Khagraj Adhikari has been appointed as the chief minister of Gandaki Province.

Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta appointed Adhikari as the chief minister in accordance with Article 168 (2) of the Constitution.

With the support of 31 Province Assembly members—22 of CPN-UML, eight of CPN (Maoist Center) and one independent, Adhikari submitted the claim for the chief ministerial post to the province chief today. The Nepali Congress has 27 lawmakers, Rastriya Prajatantra Party has two and CPN (Unified Socialist) has one lawmaker.

Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey tendered his resignation before the Province Chief on April 3.

On the same day, the Province Chief called on political parties to stake a claim for the post of chief minister by April 9 with the support of two or more than two parties.

After Adhikari staked a claim for the chief ministerial position, Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Surendra Pandey urged the Province Chief not to appoint the chief minister unconstitutionally.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has suggested making the payback system for health insurance simpler so as to enhance the effectiveness of the health insurance scheme and to make it more service-oriented.

Addressing the program organized to mark the Eighth Health Insurance Day today, the PM stressed on making the joint-payment system implemented by the Health Insurance Board service-friendly.

"Provisions as online registration of membership, system for making claim at the right time and technology-friendly insurance scheme are the challenge-targeted reformative plans," he said and expressed the government's all-time commitment towards rendering Health Insurance Program meaningful and effective to fulfill the national aspiration of 'good governance, social justice and prosperity', providing the health services in an equitable manner through this program.

Stressing on the need of fulfilling the key responsibilities that the state and the service providing agencies have to discharge to enhance the attractiveness of the program, Prime Minister Dahal directed the bodies concerned to pay attention to topics like simplifying the process for the insurance policy-holders to access the services, maintaining the quality of service and rendering the service providing bodies further service-oriented, among others.

The Prime Minister emphasized on conducting an effective literacy campaign on the Health Insurance program, and on maintaining good governance and financial discipline.

Noting that the government has kept the program in high priority, he said all the health security plans would be operated through a one-door system. The PM hoped that important policy reforms like making the health insurance card mandatory for services and recommendations provided by the federal, provincial and local governments would help enhance the quantity and quality of the program.

The Head-of-Government reiterated that the program would be made attractive and effective by expanding the insurance amount and it can be developed as the 'national pride' program. He made it clear that the government would reach an appropriate conclusion on the basis of necessary study in view of the prospects of the Health Insurance Program.

In line with the concept of a welfare State, the government initiated the Health Insurance Program around the theme, 'Your Health, Our Resolve', from Kailali district on April 7, 2016. It is a State-prioritized participatory program.

According to the PM, the government is committed to making this program meaningful and effective by expanding its coverage.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal handed the insurance certificate to the senior citizens of the Budhanilkantha Municipality. From today, the program has been launched in all the 753 local government units.

Chairman of the Health Insurance Board, Dr Gunaraj Lohani said that the insurance coverage has been expanded.

National Planning Commission (NPC) member Prof Dr Shivaraj Adhikari spoke on the various aspects of the health insurance program, its significance, need and reforms. He added that initiatives would be taken to make the program further simpler.

Secretary at the Ministry of Health Dr Roshan Pokharel maintained that the medicines produced in Nepal would be further systematized and managed well, and the insurance policy made refined and practical.

Nepali Congress Gandaki has urged the province chief not to appoint the chief minister unconstitutionally.

Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Surendra Pandey made such a request to the province chief after CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader Khagraj Adhikari staked a claim for the post of chief minister.

He said that the process to appoint the chief minister unconstitutionally should be stopped.

With the support of 31 Province Assembly members of CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center) and one independent, Adhikari submitted the claim for the chief ministerial post to the province chief today.

The Nepali Congress has 27 lawmakers and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party has two lawmakers.

CPN-UML Parliamentary Party leader Khagaraj Adhikari has staked a claim for the chief ministerial post in Gandaki Province.

A total of 31 Province Assembly members supported his claim for the chief minister, according to UML Parliamentary Party Chief Whip Govinda Nepali.

Those PA members supporting Adhikari include 22 of the UML, eight from the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the remaining one is independent. In the 60-member Gandaki PA, the confidence of at least 30 members is needed to be appointed as the chief minister.

Last Thursday, Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey tendered his resignation before the Province Chief and then the Province Chief called on political parties to stake a claim for the appointment to the post by April 9.  The coalition partners presented the claim before the deadline.

Nepali Congress, the largest party in the Gandaki with 27 members, leader Pandey resigned from the post after it was assessed that he was not going to get a vote of confidence.

The Rastriya Prajantra Party (RPP) which has two members in Gandaki is still undecided whether to support a new government or not.