E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, NOV 14 - The State Affairs Committee of the Legislature-Parliament has started a probe into the government's controversial decision regarding the promotion of two Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) of the Nepal Police and three DIGs of the Armed Police Force to the post of Additional Inspector General (AIG).

The Cabinet had bypassed seniority and promoted DIGs of the Nepal Police Nawaraj Dhakal and Bhisma Prasai and Armed Police Force (APF) DIGs Durja Kumar Rai, Rishavdev Bhatta and Jiwan Kumar Thapa to the post of AIG on November 3. The Home Ministry did not promote the senior most DIG of the Nepal Police Dinkar Shumsher Rana and recommended second, eighth and tenth ranking DIGs of the Armed Police Force for promotion.

During the discussion at the House committee, lawmakers across the party lines argued that the government's decision breached the law and it was intended to weaken the chain of command of the police force. They demanded explanation from Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar regarding news reports that suggested kickback in the promotion process.

“The media has reported that the home minister received Rs 15 million before deciding on the promotion,” said Rastriya Janamorcha Party lawmaker Chitra Bahadur KC. He said Gachhadar's silence over the media reports backs the argument that the promotion process was not fair.

Lawmakers also complained that the government's decision weakened the morale of senior police officials and encouraged them to rally behind political parties to secure their future. “The decision to promote officials by ignoring seniority is a political intervention in the police force. Such an unlawful decision discourages hard working officials,” commented Maoist lawmaker Pampha Bhusal.

Responding to lawmakers, the deputy prime minister claimed there had been no irregularities in the promotion and the senior police officials whom he recommended were the most capable ones. He said seniority cannot be considered as a sole indicator of awarding promotion and the government had evaluated work performance and qualifications, among others, while taking the decision.

The House committee has decided to study the evaluation reports prepared by the government regarding DIGs of the Nepal Police and the APF who were in the promotion race and has directed the Home Ministry to furnish the documents within a week. Chairman of the State Affairs Committee Ramnath Dhakal said a subcommittee will be formed, if required, to investigate the case after studying those documents.

Posted on: 2011-11-14 01:15

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.