Prime Minister Balendra Shah dismisses Labor Minister Deepak Kumar Sah

Kathmandu. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has dismissed Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah. Prime Minister Shah removed Minister Sah from his post upon the recommendation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Previously, RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane had sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting Sah's removal. The letter stated, 'It has been revealed through the study of the party's Central Disciplinary Commission that Honorable Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah, while in office, misused his position to regularize his wife as a member of the Health Insurance Board, which had been inactive for a long time. I am informing you that a letter was received from the commission on 2082 Chaitra 25 for necessary action. This is seen as damaging to the party's image, ideals, principles, and dignity.'

The letter further added, 'As Article 25 (4) (a) of the party statute entrusts the party chairman with the responsibility of preventing harm to the party's ideals, principles, and dignity, and since Article 69 of the statute provides the party the right to recall individuals in cases of misuse of office, I recommend removing the honorable minister from his responsibilities. Furthermore, as there was a lack of expected seriousness in his duties regarding such a grave matter, I also recommend cautioning the Minister of Health and Population, Honorable Nisha Mehta.'

After reports of Minister Sah being involved in one controversy after another surfaced, Prime Minister Shah took interest and held discussions with RSP leaders. He had secured an appointment for his wife, Junu Shrestha, to the Health Insurance Board after being appointed minister on Chaitra 13.

Upon uncovering the truth, Prime Minister Shah became dissatisfied with Minister Sah. Sah is a directly elected Member of Parliament from Mahottari-2. Baluwatar sources indicate that following the removal of the Labor Minister, internal discussions are underway regarding whether to conduct a simultaneous swearing-in for the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies or determine the next course of action.

The party has also recommended cautioning Minister of Health and Population Nisha Mehta.