Former Deputy Speaker Dr Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe has been appointed the Minister for Law and Justice.

A press release issued by the Office of the President stated that Dr Tumbahangphe was appointed to the post as recommended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Dr Tumbahangphe is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy as the new law minister at 3:30 PM today, according to Surya Thapa, press advisor to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

President Bhandari will administer oath to Dr Tumbahangphe.

On January 20, Dr Tumbahangphe had stepped down from the post of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, a day after the ruling Nepal Communist Party decided to field its leader Agni Prasad Sapkota as the new speaker.

Dr Tungbahangphe, who was initially reluctant to step down from the post, had said she resigned to pave way for electing the new speaker.