KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Concluding that the clarification submitted on Wednesday by Chief Executive Officer of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali was not satisfactory, the government has decided to sack him from the post and asked him to furnish clarification again within 24 hours on why he should not be sacked from the post. 

A cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar on Thursday concluded that the clarification submitted by CEO Gyewali to the government regarding his performance was not satisfactory and entrusted the prime minister the responsibility to take necessary steps to oust Gyewali from the post of CEO of NRA, informed Defence Minister Bal Krishna Khand.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal consulted Attorney General Raman Kumar Shrestha and decided to ask clarification for the second time from Gyewali giving him just 24 hours on why he should not be sacked from the post as the clarification submitted by him earlier to the government was not satisfactory, informed a highly positioned officer at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM).  

However, a minister seeking anonymity said that the council of ministers has already decided to remove him from the post as his performance was not satisfactory and the move to seek the clarification from him was just a legal formality.   

Clause 4 of Article 11 of the Act to Provide for Reconstruction of the Earthquake Affected Structures 2072 has stated, “Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), the Government of Nepal may at any time remove the Chief Executive Officer from his or her office if his or her performance is not satisfactory. Provided that, prior to such removal from office, he or she shall be provided with an opportunity to defend himself or herself.”  

On December 29, the government had decided to seek clarification from Gyewali within seven days as the authority under his leadership failed to expedite the reconstruction and rehabilitation tasks as per the expectations of the earthquake victims even after a year of his appointment. Based on the decision, Gyewali had submitted a 12-page clarification to the government on Wednesday in which he blamed the government for the delay.  

He had also argued that there was no point in seeking clarification from him as the NRA under his leadership had completed all the major basic tasks of reconstruction and rehabilitation that should have been completed in the first year of his five-year tenure. 

However, the cabinet meeting on Thursday was not convinced with his claim that the progress on reconstruction and rehabilitation was satisfactory and decided to move ahead with the necessary process to sack him from the post.

“The notice to furnish clarification for the second time within 24 hours will be handed over to Gyewali on Friday. The government will make necessary decision once he submits his clarification,” informed Secretary of OPMCM Dinesh Thapaliya.       

Narayan Dahal, administrative advisor to the prime minister, said that the prime minister has even started consultation with the ruling parties to replace Gyewali.   

Gyewali was appointed a year ago by the previous government of KP Oli. 

 
• national reconstruction authority
 
• sushil gyewali