Prime Minister Balen Shah has dismissed Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah.
According to the prime minister’s secretariat, PM Shah relieved Labor Minister Sah of his position on Thursday based on a written recommendation from Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane.
Sah had been in office for just 14 days.
Lamichhane had recommended action against Sah, accusing him of misusing his official position by involving his wife in regular duties as a member of the long-inactive Health Insurance Board.
Earlier, the central disciplinary committee of the RSP had conducted a detailed study regarding the matter on Wednesday and submitted a report to the party recommending action against Sah.
Concluding that Sah’s actions could seriously damage the party’s image, ideals, principles, and dignity, Lamichhane had submitted the committee’s report and recommendation to PM Shah.
Based on that recommendation, PM Shah dismissed the labor minister, according to the PM’s press advisor Deepa Dahal.
The RSP cited its party statute, stating that Article 25(4)(a) assigns the party president the responsibility to protect the party’s ideals, principles, and dignity.
It also recommended the immediate dismissal of Minister Sah, citing the provision in Article 69 of the statute that allows the party to recall individuals from responsibility in cases of misuse of position.
Meanwhile, Lamichhane has also recommended that Prime Minister Shah issue a warning to Minister for Health and Population Nisha Mehta for not showing the expected level of seriousness in such a serious matter while carrying out her responsibility.
Based on the recommendation, Prime Minister Shah has already cautioned Minister Mehta.
