The minister vented his ire against the top bureaucrat after being informed that Bhandari had left for the United States of America after remaining out of contact for a whole day and sending his resignation to the Prime Minister's Office through a friend.
"Even though he was a special-class government official, he didn't abide by even the minimum norms and procedures for quitting government service," the minister told Republica. "I was taken aback when I was told that he had already left the country and had sent in his resignation through a third person."
Pandit is clearly in a mood to approve the resignation of such "an irresponsible bureaucrat" without wasting any time "because this is humiliation of the service and the entire country by a top official".
Revenue Secretary Bhandari on Sunday filed his resignation with Chief Secretary Som Lal Subedi "through a friend", fearing possible action under the Civil Service Act, for holding a foreign permanent residency permit. It is learnt that Bhandari holds a green card for the US.
"During his promotion [to secretary], rumors were circulating that he possessed a US green card and I had asked him if the rumors were true. He had then assured me that he held no as such foreign permanent residence permit," said Pandit, adding, "But looking at what he did on Sunday, it means he not only lied to me but has shown the height of dishonesty before the entire country."
Officials like Bhandari are bringing the whole civil service into disrepute, he said.
Pandit went on to say that Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat had shown strong interest in Bhandari's promotion as secretary, pointing out that he was sincere and hard-working. This had turned out to be not true.
A large number of bureaucrats, security personnel and others have tendered their resignations after parliament last month approved the fourth amendment to the Civil Service Act, restricting a government employee from holding any foreign permanent residency permit. The Act has provided 60 days for such government employees to choose either their job or permanent foreign residency.
The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development also informed that a section officer, who had gone to the US for further studies, has tendered his resignation through Nepal's embassy in Washington after the government issued the 60-day notice.
Recently, Armed Police Force DIG Durga Bahadur Kunwar resigned from his post.
PM Deuba pays tribute to ultra-runner Pandit
Revised draft statute bars DV/PR holders from holding political, constitutional posts
The revised draft constitution has a new provision that disqualifies any person holding Diversity Visa (DV) or permanent residency permit of any foreign country for appointment to political offices and constitutional posts.
Article 283 of the draft constitution says any Nepali holding DV or permanent residency permit of a foreign country shall not be eligible for appointment to political offices and constitutional posts. However, such individuals would be deemed eligible for such appointments a year after giving up such residency permits.
Earlier, the parliament approved the amended bill of the Civil Servant Act, which considers civil servants holding DV or PR, ineligible for government service. However, there was no restriction for appointments to political and constitutional bodies.
So, the new provision in the draft constitution was added with a view to bringing uniformity in the appointment criteria for civil servants as well as other appointments, said Minister for General Administration Lal Babu Pandit.
