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The Supreme Court on Sunday issued an order directing the government not to remove Balkrishna Basnet from the post of Chairman of Press Council Nepal, giving continuity to the short-term order issued four months ago.

A joint bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Hari Phuyal directed the government not to proceed with the process of clarification asked with an objective to remove Chairman Basnet.

Saying that the government tried to remove Basnet without legal basis, advocates Ananta Raj Luintel, Bikash Bhattarai, Bishal Kumar Upadhyay and Prathiva Uprety during the hearing held today demanded an interim order to thwart the government's preparations.

Earlier on March 3, a single bench of Justice Tej Bahadur KC issued a short-term order not to remove Basnet.

Basnet had moved the apex court arguing that the Council of Ministers asked for clarification with an intention to remove him.

Basnet, who is also the advocate, was appointed by the erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-led government for four years.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari reconstituted the Council of Ministers on Sunday.

She restructured the Cabinet by including the ministers sent by the CPN (Unified Socialist).

The ministers were appointed in accordance with Article 76 (9) and Article 78 (1) of the Constitution on the recommendation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

With the reshuffle, Jeevanram Shrestha has been appointed as the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Metmani Chaudhary as the Minister for Urban Development.

Likewise, Bhawani Prasad Khapung has been given the responsibility of Minister for Health and Sher Bahadur Tamang has been appointed as the Minister for Labour.

Similarly, Hira Chandra KC has been appointed as the State Minister for Health.

Earlier on June 5, the CPN (US) had written to the Prime Minister to replace four of its ministers.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Devendra Paudel has said the government has accorded first priorities to carry out reforms in public school.

"Now, education sector is in short of 10.95 percent budget. The government is committed to strengthen public education. Policies, programmes and budget have been prepared based on the 15th period plan. Technical and vocational training, skill development and reforms in higher education have been prioritised in them," he said.

The minister was responding to queries raised at the ministerial-wise deliberation under the Appropriation Bill, 2079 at today's meeting of the National Assembly.

The line ministry has in the budget for the next fiscal year, 2022/23 prioritised infrastructure development in education sector and educational quality enhancement and legal reforms, he said.

Pledging to resolve problems in education including that of quota adjustment and increment in the next FY, the minister said the government plans to make education skillful and applicable so as to create job opportunities.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Ale resigned from his post on Sunday.

He handed over his resignation letter to Chairman Madhav Nepal in the party office, Chairman Nepal's Secretariat said.

Withdrawing his signature from the group 10 CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmakers who had submitted a memorandum expressing dissatisfaction over the party's decision to reshuffle ministers on Friday, Ale said that he would resign within 24 hours.

Ale, who handed over his resignation letter to Chairman Nepal, is preparing to organize a press conference.

Earlier on June 5, the Secretariat meeting of the CPN (Unified Socialist) had decided to recall the ministers representing the party in the government.

But, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the CPN (US)'s decision to reshuffle the ministers will be implemented after the completion of budget discussions.

A Central Committee meeting held on Saturday had decided that the party would not wait for Prime Minister Deuba and Dahal now and would take the delay as an insult.