Allegation/counter-allegation between Chief Commissioner and Executive Director regarding suspension and non-staff appointment
Nepal Scout is embroiled in a dispute between the chief commissioner and the executive director. The controversy started after Chief Commissioner Mahendraraj Ranjith suspended Executive Director Ram Prasad Bhattarai.
Ranjith has suspended Bhattarai for 3 months and appointed scout member Ajith Lama as acting executive director. Chief Commissioner Ranjith said that Bhattarai had to be suspended as he made an arbitrary decision. Bhattarai said that the letter of suspension was not given and a non-employee was appointed in his place.
After Bhattarai wrote a letter to the Ministry of Youth and Sports demanding security, District Administration Kathmandu has mobilized police at Scout Central Office Lainchaur since Friday. The office of the executive director was evacuated by the police. On Sunday, Sports Minister and Chief Scout Tejulal Chaudhary has directed the Chief Commissioner to hold a meeting of the National Executive Committee within 24 hours to resolve the dispute.
Last Thursday Chief Commissioner Ranjith suspended Bhattarai. Ranjith says that he was suspended as per the Scout Staff Regulations for not giving a satisfactory answer to the clarifications asked earlier. It is mentioned in the letter that Bhattarai has been suspended for investigation because he appointed staff in such a way as to incur long-term financial liability to the scout, caused damage to the organization by misappropriating finances, misused his position and traveled abroad without permission. Ranjith has sent the information about the suspension to the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister who are also the patrons of the scouts.
Bhattarai said that he had not received the letter of suspension and had written to the ministry after getting the information that another person had been appointed as the head of the office. "I was on leave, I was asked for an explanation that I should be present within 3 days," he said, "I informed the ministry after another person was given the responsibility of the head of the office." He alleged that Lama was appointed as deputy secretary or deputy director of Sosarah against the law, rules and regulations.
Even the employees are unhappy that a non-employee has been given the office head. "If Chief Executive Officer Bhattarai has acted against the law, action should be taken," said an employee, "However, head of office should not be appointed arbitrarily." There were other officers in the scout who could be appointed in Bhattarai's place. On the other hand, when appointing employees, there is an arrangement to be selected only through advertisement and competition through the recruitment committee.
Chief Commissioner Ranjith said that the executive director of Scout had to be suspended because he was running it like a company. "As a tendency to make arbitrary decisions has been observed, another chief has been appointed after suspending him according to the staff service regulations," he said. He informed that Lama has been appointed as acting head of office for 6 months. Expressing his displeasure that Sports Minister Chowdhury gave instructions to postpone the meeting, he said that it is not binding to follow the instructions.
There is a provision in the Nepal Scout Staff Service Regulations 2052 that an employee can be suspended only if there is an investigation until the investigation is completed. It is not clear whether that will be done by the full executive committee of Scouts or by the commissioner. It is mentioned in the regulation that if the staff is appointed for 6 months in the contract, the National Secretary of Scout can issue a notice and order to appoint the person who has reached the minimum qualification. This work will be done by the recruitment committee. There is also a vacancy for member secretary and post filling committee in Scout.
