Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising has asserted that the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation does not have the authority to terminate his appointment, which was made by the Council of Ministers for a fixed four-year term.
Responding to a clarification sought by the ministry on January 6, Ghising emphasized that his appointment on August 9, 2021, was legally sound and backed by the government’s decision. "The ministry has no legal grounds to terminate my tenure. My performance must first be evaluated, and only failure in such evaluations can lead to termination, which is not the case," Ghising said.
Ghising, who was appointed by the government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has a strained relation with the incumbent government. Tensions between Ghising and the current government have been evident, with disagreements intensifying under Energy Minister Deepak Khadka.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had previously criticized Ghising for collecting dues of the trunk lines and dedicated feeders against the instruction of the government.
The PM had even attempted to involve the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority through the Public Accounts Committee. These disputes have now culminated in the ministry’s demand for clarification regarding delays in performance evaluations and alleged non-cooperation.
The ministry’s letter also pointed to ambiguities in previous reports submitted by Ghising and noted dissent from a committee formed to examine bills related to trunk and dedicated lines. It further mentioned that failure to submit a satisfactory response could lead to further action under the law.
In his clarification, Ghising asserted that his performance has been exemplary and that there is no legal basis for his removal from the post. He stated, “Considering the significant progress made during my tenure, no one else has the authority to take any action or decision regarding the termination of my appointment as mentioned in your letter.”
Speaking to New Business Age, Ghising reiterated that the ministry lacks legal grounds to terminate him. "I have provided the required clarification to the ministry. Only the Council of Ministers has the authority to seek further explanations or take action to remove me. My performance would need to be evaluated, and I would have to fail such evaluations for removal, which takes time. This explanation alone cannot serve as grounds for my dismissal," he said.
In his written clarification, Ghising explained that delays in submitting his performance report were due to urgent work, including reconstruction efforts following damage to electricity infrastructure caused by recent floods and landslides. "I was engaged in restoring damaged production, transmission, and distribution lines, which required immediate attention. This delay was communicated to the ministry," he said.
