Energy Minister Deepak Khadka, who is under investigation by the Authority for making check transactions between contractors to settle the contract of 16 billion Jagdulla hydropower project, has asked for an explanation as to the process of removing the Executive Director of the Authority, Kulman Ghising.

The letter was cut off on Sunday with a one-week deadline for disobeying the government by writing a 'note of dissent' at the board meeting of the authority chaired by the minister, not giving a satisfactory answer to the government's clarifications and not submitting his performance evaluation on time.

The conflict between Minister Khadka and Executive Director Ghising has been intensifying regarding the collection of dedicated and trunk line electricity dues. The ministry has formed a committee headed by Arvind Kumar Mishra to study the bill cut by the authority. Ghising has been denying the existence of the committee formed by the ministry saying that only the electricity regulatory commission or the court can examine the bill. 

The minister took a proposal in the meeting of December 4 to make arrangements for the officials of Mishra's committee, from salary allowances, office supplies to vehicles, in which executive director Ghising wrote a 'note of dissent'. The ministry called it disobedience to the government. "An executive director appointed by the Nepal government (whose performance is the first party to be evaluated by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation) has disobeyed the instructions of the Nepal government by writing a note of dissent in violation of Section 25 of the Nepal Electricity Authority Act, 2049. It is stated in the letter sent by Secretary Suresh Acharya. 

On the other hand, Ghising has said that it is his responsibility and right to write a note of dissent on the matter that he thinks is against the law. "Even if there is a decision made by the government, I will implement it as long as it is in accordance with the law. If it is outside the law, it is my responsibility and right to have a different opinion," he said. 

If there is a question in the electricity authority's bill, the electricity regulatory commission can look into it, the court can look into it. My note of dissent is about giving salary allowances and facilities to the committee which is not in any law. I am committed to this," he said. 

It has been charged in the charge sheet that he forgot his status as the executive head of the government agency and played an uncooperative role in the meetings of the board of directors of the authority. It has been said, 'When asking for details on matters such as extensive irregularities in the purchase of transformers, the Executive Director ignored the role of the Ministry of Energy by presenting answers in a roundabout way beyond what was asked.' are Although details were asked earlier, this time they have asked for 'clarification'. On the other hand, Ghising claimed to have replied to all the letters sent by the government. "Earlier I have answered 15 points, I have also answered 6 points, I have also answered 3 points, now I will answer the 9th point," he said, "I will send the truth, the ministry will evaluate what the answer is." . Why they are not satisfied is not something I can say.

The ministry said that Ghising, as the executive director of the authority, did not send the evaluation report of his performance, so he could not be properly evaluated. According to the ministry, there is a clear provision that the performance of the previous financial year should be reviewed within the month of August every year, but even after 112 days have passed since the end of August, the ministry has not submitted the details it should provide.

"As per clause 10.3 of the performance agreement, the performance evaluation cannot be done, why not terminate your appointment?" The question was asked. It is also mentioned in the letter that if a satisfactory answer is not received within seven days of receiving the letter, further procedures will be taken according to the law. 

Ghising responded that the appointment cannot be terminated based on the fact that the performance details were sent for the purpose of his incentive allowance and there was a delay in sending them. I will send them to get incentives, if it is rash to take action, they will ask for details. I have no disagreement about the sending, but the rules and laws do not allow to terminate the appointment based on that," he said. 

On the other hand, Minister Khadka himself is in a bigger controversy. A complaint has been filed against him in the authority for gathering contractors in the minister's office to negotiate the contract for the 106 megawatt Jagdulla hydropower project to be built by the government in Dolpa. Authority officials have confirmed that the matter is being investigated.