A council of ministers meeting on Monday decided to formally scrap the Principal Military Secretariat stationed for security of the royal family at Naryanhiti palace.

Talking to himalkhabar.com Minister of State for Information and Communications, Dilendra Prasad Badu said that the meeting on Monday decided to set up security coordination office under the Ministry of Defense, which will now take care of the security arrangements within the royal palace.

The secretariat used to look after the palace security, including during visits made by the royal family members. It comprised of a military brigade, with some 2500 soldiers to look after the security of Nirmal Niwas, Narayanhiti and Nagarjun royal palaces. The secretariat had a strong influence in Nepali politics.

Officials say around 3,000 security personnel are stationed at the royal palace providing security to the royal family.

The council of ministers also approved the bills on competition law, policy on biodiversity, travel and tourism, rafting policy and bill on good governance, among others, to be presented before the House.