Energy Ministry to begin dismissal process for NEA Chief Ghising

Kathmandu, March 4 — The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation has decided to initiate the process of dismissing Kulman Ghising, the Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The decision comes after Ghising received a zero score in the performance evaluation conducted by the ministry.

According to the ministry, Ghising submitted his performance report in mid-January, although the agreement required him to provide the financial details by mid-September of each fiscal year.

Despite repeated reminders, Ghising did not comply with the terms, and the ministry’s secretary, Suresh Acharya, confirmed that Ghising received zero marks for failing to meet the required deadline.

Acharya explained, "As per the performance agreement, the report should have been submitted by mid-September. Since he did not submit the report on time, the contract specifies that if the score is below 50%, the dismissal process can be initiated. He received zero marks, so the process will proceed accordingly."

Ghising had claimed a score of 98.99 in his performance evaluation but the ministry’s committee, led by Joint Secretary Jeevachh Mandal, rejected it, stating that the report was submitted too late for evaluation.

As a result, Ghising was given a zero score.

Energy Secretary Acharya emphasized that public employees are not allowed to submit documents late, regardless of the importance of the issue.

"No public servant can submit documents past the deadline. Even if the issue is critical, the court or the civil service will not accept late submissions," he stated.

Ghising's term, which began in the second half of 2020, is set to end in the coming July.

Since he was appointed by the Cabinet, any decision regarding his dismissal must also come from the Cabinet.

While the ministry has sought clarification from Ghising twice, no formal clarification has been sought from the Cabinet.