EC to seek clarifications over NTV chief's demotion
GANI ANSARI
KATHMANDU, June 22: Expressing serious concern over the demotion of the acting general manager of state-run Nepal Television (NTV), the Election Commission (EC) is all set to seek clarifications from the Ministry of Information and Communications.
A meeting of the EC´s code of conduct monitoring committee held on Thursday concluded that the government´s decision to demote Acting General Manager of NTV Deepalmani Dhital has breached the code of conduct enforced by the EC on June 7.
"We will put forth our position regarding the issue at a full meeting of the EC tomorrow (Friday)," said Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav, who also heads the EC´s code of conduct monitoring committee.
Sources at the EC said it will send a letter to the secretary at the information and communications ministry on Friday seeking details about the government´s decision to demote Dhital.
Last week, the minister for information and communications had sought verbal clarifications from Dhital over a live broadcast of the mass rally of opposition parties on June 8 and the coverage of opposition protests against the government promulgating laws through ordinance. The cabinet meeting on Monday demoted Dhital.
The EC on Tuesday had also directed the government to scrap a decision to transfer five additional inspector generals (AIGs) of police and 19 deputy inspector generals (DIGs).
The commission on Friday will also discuss giving consent to the Nepal Army (NA) for transfers, deployment of NA personnel to United Nations peace missions and other matters.
According to Yadav, the EC has issued various directives, acting on complaints and applications seeking its consent for transfers, tours abroad and other matters.
"We have directed the organizations and officials concerned as per the nature of the issues. In some cases we have sought clarifications within three days, and also directed the cancellation of vacancy announcements, putting on hold of the publication of test results for various posts, and cancellation of some foreign visits by government officials," he added.
Yadav said the EC has given its nod to some officials for attending international seminars for capacity building.
"The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) has sought our consent for setting up more colleges with a view of increasing the number of students. The EC has directed CTEVT to move ahead according to the procedures but we have not allowed them affiliations," he informed.
According to EC officials, they have directed the cancellation of foreign visits by some government officials scheduled for around the time of the CA polls.
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EC To Seek Clarifications Over NTV Chief's Demotion
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