Jul 01, Kathmandu - The Nepali government faces a significant administrative setback as four secretaries at major government offices have become secretaryless following the mandatory leave of Secretary Pramila Devi Shakya Bajracharya from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Her departure has left four key agencies without secretaries, creating a leadership vacuum.

According to the official website of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), the offices of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nepal Trust, Public Procurement Monitoring Office, and the Secretariat of the Judicial Council are currently without secretaries.

Meanwhile, six secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office have been relieved of their responsibilities and placed in an additional group (reserve) since the cabinet meeting on Jestha 22 (June 6). Some of these positions had already been vacant prior to this date.

The secretaries currently listed on the Prime Minister’s Office website include Dr. Govinda Sharma, Dr. Dillirama Sharma, Loknath Poudyal, Dr. Krishnahari Pushkar, Hariprasad Mainali, and Dundu Raj Ghimire. Notably, Dundu Raj Ghimire is under suspension following corruption charges filed by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).

The suspension of Ghimire stems from allegations related to irregularities in tax exemptions during his tenure at the Pokhara Airport construction project. The CIAA had previously filed a case against him in a special court, citing involvement in corruption related to tax benefits while serving as an deputy secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.

This leadership vacuum raises concerns over the smooth functioning of vital government agencies at a time when effective governance is crucial for ongoing development projects and administrative stability.