Kathmandu, November 27
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has removed all but six individuals from her secretariat after questions were raised regarding the appointment process.
Concerns emerged about the Prime Minister’s commitment to good governance and her stance against nepotism after news surfaced that Chief Personal Secretary Adarsh Kumar Shrestha had secured appointments for his wife and other relatives. Following this, the Prime Minister reduced the number of appointees on Wednesday.
According to Hemraj Aryal, spokesperson and joint secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, only six individuals will now remain in the Prime Minister’s secretariat.
The six are:
– Chief Adviser Ajaya Bhadra Khanal
– Public Relations Adviser Govinda Narayan Timilsina
– Chief Personal Secretary Adarsh Kumar Shrestha
– Press Coordinator Ram Bahadur Rawal
– Personal Branch Officer (Photographer) Keshav Thapa
– Public Health Expert (non-salaried) Dr Man Bahadur KC
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that while previous prime ministers expanded their secretariats to as many as 66 members, this time the number had been limited to 20. That number has now been reduced to just six. According to the office, 14 appointments have been annulled.
Who are the 14 who were removed?
Adarsh Shrestha’s wife, Sangita Shrestha, has been removed from the secretariat. She had been appointed as a personal secretary equivalent to a joint secretary. A relative, Kamala Shrestha, who had also been appointed as a personal secretary, has likewise been removed. Both have been dismissed.
Similarly, Information Technology and Communication Expert Arun Katuwal has been removed. He had been serving with facilities equivalent to an officer.
Youth and Social Development Expert Pradip Gyawali has also been removed. Gyawali, too, had been serving with facilities equivalent to an officer. Personal Branch Officers Ramesh Raj Dahal, Arjit Khadka, and Aakriti Ghimire have also been removed.
Additionally, administrative assistants Srishti Dangol, Poonam Shrestha, Junu Karki, Angelina Kayastha, and Rabina Shrestha have been dismissed from the secretariat.
Drivers Haribabu Shrestha and Mira Adhikari have also been removed.
