Kathmandu, 23 March (HS): The government to be formed under the leadership of Balendra Shah has begun preparations to cancel a total of 1,170 political appointments made in various state bodies. As part of plans to reform the administrative system, Shah’s first step after government formation will be to cancel appointments made during the previous administration.

Senior National Independent Party leader Shah is scheduled to take oath as Prime Minister on March 27 and is also preparing to form the Cabinet the same day. Political appointments have been made in constitutional bodies, public institutions, diplomatic missions and various boards, and details of these are being compiled. According to party central committee member and MP Pukar Bam, a decision on the issue will be taken in the first Cabinet meeting after the new government is formed.

Party spokesperson Manish Jha said people holding such positions have already been requested to resign voluntarily on moral grounds even before the formation of the new government. He clarified that the move is not against any individual but is part of an effort to prevent the state mechanism from becoming a “recruitment centre for party workers.” He said only those appointments made merely to benefit party workers would be cancelled.

He said if a person has a political background but is competent, the appointment may be justified, but appointments that unnecessarily burden the state only to benefit workers would be ended. These will be reviewed after the government assumes office. According to Jha, the number of such appointments is 1,170. He also said some commissions and bodies appear unnecessary and are merely a burden on taxpayers. He added that it would be better if the concerned persons resign voluntarily.

The party has not yet made public which bodies or posts will be vacated. Leaders said further discussion and preparation are still underway, and therefore names will not be disclosed immediately. In some cases, instead of replacing office bearers, the post or institution itself may be abolished.

After securing nearly two-thirds public support in the election held following the Gen-G movement, the party preparing to form the government plans to take popular steps after assuming power.

For visible public impact, Balendra Shah has placed review and cancellation of various appointments among his priorities. This move could directly affect heads and members of constitutional bodies as well as government institutions.

Important constitutional bodies in Nepal where political appointments have been made include the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Public Service Commission, National Human Rights Commission and Election Commission. Apart from these, those appointed on political grounds to positions such as Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, chairpersons and members of various government institutions, Language Commission, Dalit Commission, Muslim Commission, Women’s Commission and other councils have been asked to step down.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar