Kathmandu, October 29
The parliamentary Hearing Committee has yet to receive additional information requested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Jigyan Kumar Thapa, the proposed ambassador to Japan, leaving its decision on his appointment pending.
“We had sought additional details from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but they have not yet been provided,” said Tula Bahadur Kandel, secretary of the committee.
During his parliamentary hearing, Thapa said he had renounced his permanent residency (PR) in Japan. However, lawmakers raised questions about the timing of his renunciation and its implications under Article 291 of the Constitution.
The committee held Thapa’s hearing on October 14 but did not make a decision, citing unanswered questions and the lack of necessary documents.
Concerns were also raised over whether Thapa’s family members retained Japanese permanent residency, whether his family owned property in Japan, whether he had received remuneration from Japanese government bodies, and whether he had served as an adviser to a local government there. Complaints raising these issues had also been filed with the committee.
To clarify the allegations, the committee sought information from the Japanese government through the Foreign Ministry. The ministry, in turn, requested details from the Japanese government through Nepal’s embassy in Japan. However, the response has yet to arrive.
Committee members have been informally discussing how to proceed if the requested information remains unavailable. One member said the committee could face further questions if it approves Thapa’s nomination without establishing whether he received salary or benefits from the Japanese government.
“The Foreign Ministry’s advice will also be important. If it says the details have been requested through the Nepali embassy in Japan and a response is likely, the committee can wait a few more days,” the member said. “Otherwise, the ministry’s position will be crucial.”
According to another committee member, there is an understanding that the panel will wait through Thursday and Friday to see whether the additional information arrives.
The committee must make a decision by November 5, when the 45-day deadline expires. Members expect the Foreign Ministry to provide an opinion on whether the nomination can proceed, even if the Japanese government does not respond in time.
The committee is therefore preparing to decide on Thapa’s nomination based partly on the Foreign Ministry’s assessment. However, the remaining time is limited.
The government recommended 13 ambassadorial nominees, including Thapa, on September 18. The committee invited complaints against the nominees on September 25 and made decisions on 12 of them following complaints and hearings on October 14. Thapa’s case was held over pending further information.
During his hearing, Thapa reiterated that he had renounced his Japanese permanent residency. However, he acknowledged that his wife still held PR status and that a house in Japan was registered in her name.
Questions have also been raised over potential conflicts of interest because Thapa lived and worked in Japan for an extended period and acquired property there.
The committee is seeking the Foreign Ministry’s view before deciding whether to approve his nomination.
Under Article 292 of Nepal’s Constitution, parliamentary hearings are mandatory before the appointment of the chief justice, Supreme Court justices, members of the Judicial Council, heads and officials of constitutional bodies, and ambassadors.
A 15-member Parliamentary Hearing Committee, comprising 12 members of the House of Representatives and three members of the National Assembly, conducts the hearings.
However, the committee cannot delay the process indefinitely. Rule 25(2) of the Joint Committee (Conduct of Business) Rules, 2023, requires the committee to conduct a hearing and send its decision to the relevant body within 45 days of receiving a nominee’s name.
If the committee fails to make a decision within that period, the nominee is deemed approved, clearing the way for appointment.
