The government has decided to remove Kulman Ghising from his position as the Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday evening based on a proposal by Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka.
Ghising’s four-year tenure was set to end on Shrawan 24. However, with just four and a half months remaining, the government has replaced him with Hitendra Dev Shakya as the new Executive Director.
For the past nine months, Minister Khadka and Ghising had ongoing disputes. The government had questioned Ghising regarding his performance, internal and external visits, and power exchange agreements with India. As his explanations were deemed unsatisfactory, the Cabinet decided to remove him.
During this period, Minister Khadka sought clarifications from Ghising four times through ministerial decisions and once via a Cabinet decision. On Falgun 22, a letter with four key concerns was sent to Ghising, asking why he should not be removed. In response, Ghising countered by questioning why his previous clarifications were considered unsatisfactory.
According to sources, the Cabinet was divided on the decision to remove Ghising. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak opposed his dismissal, while Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba supported Energy Minister Khadka. Most Nepali Congress ministers remained silent, whereas most UML ministers backed Khadka’s proposal.
