Kathmandu, Nov. 24 -- Prime Minister Sushila Karki's secretariat has defended its recent staff appointments following media reports alleging nepotism, stressing all selections comply with legal procedures and operational needs.

In a statement on Monday, Ram Bahadur Rawal, press coordinator to the prime minister, said the secretariat operates with a small team to reduce state expenditure and ensure efficiency.

Under the regulations on managing the prime minister's advisers and secretariat, the prime minister appoints the chief personal secretary, who can then select other staff under the prime minister's direction, the statement said.

Rawal said the chief personal secretary was appointed from among trusted individuals capable of providi...