Prime Minister Sushila Karki has decided not to proceed with the appointment of Dr Sangita Kaushal Mishra as health minister after learning that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) is investigating her on corruption charges.
PM Karki had recommended Dr Mishra for the position of minister for health and population on Sunday. Her name had also been sent to the President's Office.
After news began appearing in the media that Mishra was set to become a minister, the CIAA informed the Prime Minister's Office that the investigation against her was nearing completion and that it was preparing to file a case soon, according to a source. This led to the suspension of her appointment process.
"The prime minister is in favor of reconsidering her name," the source said, "Her name, which had been sent to the President's Office for appointment as minister, will likely be withdrawn after the office opens today."
PM Karki had sent the names of five new ministers, including Dr Mishra, to the President’s Office on Sunday evening.
The other four recommended ministers are Mahabir Pun for the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology; Anil Kumar Sinha for the Ministry of Industry and Land Reform; Jagdish Kharel for the Ministry of Communications, Information, and Technology; and Madan Pariyar for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr Mishra has already resigned from her position as additional secretary.
Previously, Dr Mishra was in the race to become secretary. However, a Cabinet meeting held on March 6 appointed Dr Bikash Devkota as secretary instead of her. The decision, which was made bypassing seniority, sparked controversy.
The names of additional secretaries Dr Mishra, Dr Devkota, and Dr Tanka Barakoti had been recommended for the position.
Dr Mishra expressed dissatisfaction through various channels over the appointment of a junior colleague as health secretary by the Cabinet.
Dr Mishra joined the health service in 2000 and worked there for about a year. She then went to the United States to study on a Fulbright scholarship.
She re-entered the health service on September 26, 2013, after securing a position in the 11th level through open competition.
She has served as director general of the Department of Health Services, head of Koshi Hospital, and head of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital.
