Under the second phase of appointments to the local bodies, the government Wednesday named 13 more mayors and deputies to run the topless municipalities, an announcement said.

With the latest appointments, the number of municipalities where the government named new mayors and deputies has reached 42. A total of 29 mayors and deputies were appointed in the first phase of selection a few days ago.

The cities, which have now 13 new chiefs, include Ilam, Bhadrapur, Damak, Mechinagar, Khadbari, Dhankuta, Bhimeshwor, Kamalamai, Kirtipur, Birgunj, Putalibazar, Waling and Nepalgunj.

The government also appointed chairmen in 35 wards of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa called a meeting of government secretaries Wednesday and instructed them to carry out their jobs with a feeling of responsibility, Nepal Television said.