Kathmandu, 17 January: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Rajendra Lingden, assumed office today. Before assuming office, the leader visited the Pashupatinath Temple.

Prior to this, he took an oath before the Head-of-the-State at the Sheetal Niwas. Shortly after assuming office, the Minister decided to form a three-member task force to prepare a five-year strategy for the development of domestic energy, water resources and energy sector.

The  joint-secretary-led task force formulate a  planned approach in any development sector will help achieve substantive outcomes. He said he was committed to utilizing his term at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation to transform challenges into opportunities.

Talking about the visit to the Pashupatinath, one of the major Hindu shrines in the nation, also a World Heritage Site, he said he believed in the Sanatan religion and thought it worthwhile that he should visit the deity before taking up auspicious roles.