Sources said Secretary Bhandari submitted his resignation to Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi at the latter's office on Sunday. It is learnt that Bhandari holds a green card of USA.
Minister for General Administration Lal Babu Pandit said he has not received any information regarding this through formal channel. "I have also learnt about this through informal channel. I have yet to verify this," Minister Pandit told Republica on Sunday evening.
Minister Pandit said Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat had shown strong interests in Bhandari's promotion as secretary saying that he was sincere and hard-working.
"After I was informed that he held foreign permanent residency, I called him to my office and questioned him about it. He had promised me that only his wife held a PR," said Pandit. "If what I learnt informally today is true, it would mean that Bhandari lied to me."
A large number of bureaucrats, security personnel and others have tendered resignation after the parliament approved last month the fourth amendment to the Civil Service Act that restricts any government employee from holding foreign permanent residency permits. The Act has provided 60 days for the government employees to choose either foreign permanent residency or their job.
Recently, Armed Police Force DIG Durga Bahadur Kunwar resigned his post. Minister Pandit said Joint Secretary Dhan Raj Gyawali of Home Ministry recently resigned. "Secretary Laxman Mainali has informed me that his wife holds a PR, but he does not hold any PR."
Sources said the government is compiling a list of government employees who hold foreign permanent residency cards. Those failing to resign within the 60-day deadline will be relieved from the post, making them disqualified even for future employment with the government bodies.
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