KATHMANDU, Nov 20 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-appointed Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Shyam Sundar Gupta amidst a function held at the Singha Durbar Tuesday.

The meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties had decided to appoint Gupta, a leader of Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandidevi), was to the post of minister for industry, commerce and supplies that lay vacant after the dissident leader of the party Rajendra Mahato stepped down from the post around two months back, citing the Election Commission’s failure to recognise the faction he leads as the authentic party.

Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula had been looking after the ministry since then.

Talking to reporters after being sworn-in, minister Gupta said, “There are a lot of things pending at the ministry. I hope to sort them out.”

Gupta also came down heavily on Mahato for forming the Madhesh Surachhya Bahini, stating the move was an outcome of his mentality to disintegrate Terai.