Kul Man Ghising prepares to challenge removal in court after govt sacks him from NEA
KATHMANDU: Kulman Ghising, recently removed as Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), is set to approach the court today to contest the government’s decision. Ghising received the official letter of his dismissal late, prompting him to plan his legal action for Wednesday, March 26 (Chaitra 12, 2081), after initially intending to do so on Tuesday.
Ghising, appointed for his second term on August 9, 2021 (Shrawan 25, 2078), was due to complete his tenure on August 9, 2025 (Shrawan 25, 2082). However, the Cabinet, in a meeting on the evening of March 25 (Chaitra 11), removed him four months early and appointed Hitendra Dev Shakya as the new Executive Director. The Energy Ministry formally informed Ghising of his dismissal through a letter, listing 10 reasons for his removal.
The three-page document cites multiple allegations, including repeatedly making statements against the federal parliament and government through public media, fostering factionalism among employees, failing to implement board decisions, leaking clarification responses to the media, and traveling domestically or internationally without board approval.
Further accusations include not recovering outstanding dues from customers using dedicated feeders and trunk lines based on Time of Day (TOD) metering, exceeding his authority by signing power trade agreements with India, and proceeding to negotiations in India without prior board approval.
The government had sought clarifications from Ghising on these issues six times, while the Energy Ministry gave him a zero score in his performance evaluation. After Ghising argued the ministry lacked authority to demand clarifications in five instances, the Cabinet, on March 5 (Falgun 21), gave him a final chance to explain himself.
Despite Ghising’s defense, claiming he committed no wrongdoing, the Cabinet found his response unsatisfactory. The ministry’s letter stated, “As the Executive Director of NEA, you failed to fulfill the performance agreement with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation and your official responsibilities… Your explanation was deemed unsatisfactory, and you failed to meet the duties of your position.” Consequently, the March 25 Cabinet meeting finalized his removal.
In a brief response to Fiscal Nepal, Ghising asserted that the government’s decision to sack him was “voidable” and announced his intent to seek legal recourse. “I am preparing to go to court today,” he said. His removal has already sparked widespread criticism, with political leaders and the public questioning the government’s motives, especially given Ghising’s reputation for ending chronic loadshedding during his first term. As he heads to court, the case is likely to draw significant attention amid Nepal’s ongoing energy and political challenges.
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