Kathmandu. Prime Minister Balen Shah has appointed Minister for Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary as the chairperson of the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Minister Chaudhary, who is also looking after the portfolio of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, was appointed by Prime Minister Shah as the chairman of the fund in exercise of the authority conferred by the National Trust for Nature Conservation Act-2039 BS.
According to PM Shah’s press and research expert Deepa Dahal, as per the Act, the Prime Minister is the custodian of the Fund and the guardian himself appoints the chairperson. Exercising the same authority, the Prime Minister appointed Minister Chaudhary as the chairman. In the past, there was a practice of appointing the forest minister as the chairman of the fund so that the state does not have to bear additional financial burden. Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the head of the interim government, had appointed his personal secretary Adarsha Kumar Shrestha as the chairman, ignoring the established practice and the principle of austerity.
The appointment has been criticised for adding unnecessary burden to the state coffers and promoting the tendency to hand over important body responsibilities to those close to them.
While Shrestha was enjoying the privileges of the Chairman of the Fund, on the other hand, the issue of taking dual responsibility and facilities as a legal advisor in the Social Welfare Council had sparked controversy. Such a person holding two public offices at the same time was seen as a conflict of interest and a violation of public morality.
At the same time, questions were raised about Shrestha’s qualifications, experience and expertise to lead such an important fund, which raised doubts about the then appointment process.
With the objective of maintaining good governance by ending the controversial appointments, double privileges and the assault on institutional dignity, Prime Minister Shah has given the responsibility of the Chairman of the Fund to the Minister of Forest and Environment as per the established practice.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
