SC restricts govt plan to appoint undergraduates as ambassadors

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued an interim order restricting the government from appointing undergraduates to the post of ambassador.

Issuing an interim order on the amendment of directives on the appointment ambassador, a single bench of Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut on Friday directed the government not to implement the newly made amendment as it contradicted with the spirit of the constitution.

The government had amended the directive on the appointment of ambassadors on May 8 to make a provision that those who have already become ministers could still be appointed as ambassadors even if they did not hold Bachelor’s level degree.

Justice Raut’s Bench on Friday declared that the amendment is against the Right to Equality guaranteed by Article 18 of the Constitution.

Stating that neglecting educational qualifications on sensitive issues like representing the nation would have a serious and far-reaching impact on the diplomatic arena, the bench issued an interim order not to implement amendment unless the final verdict comes.