The cabinet meeting scheduled on Friday morning has been deferred due to the ‘ill health’ of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, officials said.

The ministers who reached Baluwatar for the meeting were told that it could not take place owing to ‘ill health’ of the Prime Minister.

Nepal FM, a Kathmandu-based radio station, quoted Minister for Health and Population Giriraj Mani Pokharel, as saying that he regretted the sudden postponement of the cabinet meeting. “PM’s health has been referred to as the reason for it,” he said.

Pokharel said it was sad that the cabinet meeting was suspended even as the nation needed to make a number of key decisions soon. “This (abrupt suspension) shows how justified we were when we recently issued a statement expressing dissatisfaction over the government’s style of functioning,” he said.

Friday’s cabinet meeting was to discuss ways to rescue and rehabilitate thousands of people affected by flood and landslide across the country. It was also scheduled to discuss progress in government’s talks with Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, Chure Bhawar Ekata Samaj and others. The ongoing agitation by VDC secretaries demanding security was also to figure in the meeting.

Likewise, the recent row between Nepali Army and Maoist ministers would also have been discussed. On Thursday, Home Minister had assured Maoist ministers of investigation into the sudden change of guards by NA in Maoist ministers’ quarters. Maoist ministers were planning to table a proposal demanding dissolution of Ranger Force of NA at the meeting.

The cabinet meeting was also going to decide about the music for the national anthem. Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has received four different music tones for the new national anthem – two by senior musician Ambar Gurung, one by Nhyoo Bajracharya and one by Nepali Army (NA).

The next cabinet meeting is now expected to take place on Sunday.