Delay causes command vacuum in Army

KATHMANDU, Oct 27: Delay by the government in filling the positions of two lieutenant generals in the Nepal Army (NA) has caused a command vacuum in the institution at all levels. The offices of both Chief of Staff (CoS) and Chief of General Staff (CGS) have remained vacant and the onus of taking on these responsibilities has fallen on major generals. [break]



“While there is confusion over who is looking after the responsibilities of CoS, the duties of the CGS are being discharged by a major general who now has to fulfill a dual responsibility,” a highly-placed NA source told myrepublica.com.



In the absence of formal appointments, there is confusion as to who heads these departments. “There is confusion as we do not know who is looking after the two offices,” the source added.



Major General Gaurav Shumsher Rana, who heads the office of Director General of Military Operations, is also discharging the duties of CGS.



The delay has had a multiplier effect at NA. It has also resulted in many promotions at officer level, especially promotions to first class level, being put on hold. At present there are seven or eight vacancies from the rank of lieutenant-colonel to brigadier.



At the offices of the CoS and CGS, the positions of two full colonels and two brigadiers remain vacant. As per the existing rule, all first class promotions at NA have to be approved by the cabinet.



“The delay will ultimately affect career planning and capable officers may never get the opportunity to move up,” the source said, adding, “It will now be a challenging task to bring the command into shape.”



This is the first time in the history of NA that the top two positions have remained vacant. While Major General Pawan Jung Thapa is currently in Sudan, the cabinet is divided over the promotion of Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh. The Eastern Division Command, which is supposed to be under Thapa, currently has Brigadier Raju Pratap KC as in-charge. Similarly, in Pokhara, Brigadier Nara Bahadur Kandel is currently in charge as Major General Shiva Ram Pradhan was brought back to headquarters some time back.



“NA is already facing a major setback; and the longer the delay the bigger will be the command vacuum, which is extremely bad for a security agency,” the source said.

NA has 32 independent companies, 78 battalions in all 75 districts, 18 brigades in various zones and six divisions.



akanshya@myrepublica.com

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