KATHMANDU: Minister of State for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Purna Bahadur Tamang, has issued a 24-hour explanation notice to Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya after the latter failed to attend a government event where the minister was the chief guest.
The controversy stems from an event held in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur on April 7 to mark Irrigation Day, where Secretary Acharya was reportedly absent despite being called repeatedly to the stage. Minister Tamang expressed strong dissatisfaction over what he described as a breach of protocol and disregard for ministerial authority.
In the explanation notice, Minister Tamang questioned the Secretary’s conduct, asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for what was described as a trivial justification for not attending the program.
The minister accused Acharya of violating official decorum and undermining the dignity of his position as a secretary of the Government of Nepal.
“Did you boycott the program with the intention of disrespecting the departmental minister—if so, under whose influence or due to what personal bias?” the explanation letter reads.
The incident has stirred attention within the ministry, raising questions about the coordination and mutual respect between bureaucrats and political leadership. The Energy Ministry has yet to respond publicly to the matter.
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