The government has appointed the controversial Lyarkal Lama as the vice chairman of the Lumbini Development Fund.

A cabinet meeting on August 1 appointed Lama to the coveted post, Chief Secretary of the government Dr. Baikuntha Aryal told Nepalkhabar.

This news was made public only on Sunday. Lama has already received am appointment letter.

Former Constituent Assembly member Lama has been appointed to the post for five years.

Lama, who is also the central committee (CC) member of the CPN (Maoist Center), had been arrested for his involvement in the illegal trade of arms and ammunition in the past.

The post was lying vacant after outgoing Vice Chairman Awadhesh Kumar Tripathi's tenure expired on July 26.

Lama had also become a state minister during the government led by Jhala Nath Khanal in 2067 BS. He had tendered his resignation after he courted controversies over issues related to dual citizenship and passport.

Even though Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati recommended Ani Choying Dolma for the post, he backed off after Prime Minister Prachanda proposed Lama's name.