KATHMANDU, April 1: Secretary Baman Prasad Neupane, who lost his defense portfolio last Wednesday over eight army officers´ retirement row, has received a warning from the government for working "recklessly". [break]
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A highly-placed government source told myrepublica.com that the government sent a warning letter to Neupane early this week, holding him responsible for the March-24 apex court order staying the retirement of the army geenerals. The Maoists have been critical of the court order that was passed on the basis of the retirement letters issued by Neuapane.
The letters bear that the cabinet decided to give retirement to the brigadier generals on March 19, 2008, a year earlier than the brigadier general´s four-year tenure would expire. Justice Kalyan Shrestha used the mistaken date, among others, as the basis for issuing the March-24 stay order that led to protests by the Maoists.
"I do not want to comment on this issue," said Neupane, who is in the reserve pool of the Ministry of General Administration, with no responsibility.
The warning issued under the Clause 55 (A) of the Civil Service Act accuses Neuapne of working recklessly on the issue related to the army generals´ retirement.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court is holding an initial hearing on Thursday on the government application seeking nullification of the March-24 stay order. Secretary Neuapne, in his capacity as the defense secretary, filed the application against the stay order last Thursday.
kiran@myrepublica.com
