KATHMANDU, Sept 21: The Parliamentary Hearings Special Committee (PHSC) has scheduled hearings next week for envoys recommended for India and China.
PHSC has received three complaints against Deep Kumar Upadhyaya, who is recommended as envoy for India. It has not received any complaint against Leela Mani Paudyal, recommended as envoy to China.
Upadhyaya, who was ambassador to India but was recalled by the previous Oli government, was nominated again for the same post by the incumbent government on September 1. The government also nominated former chief secretary Paudyal as ambassador to China.
The second cabinet meeting of the Dahal government held on August 5 decided to cancel the recommendations made by the Oli government to appoint 14 political cadres as ambassadors to various countries. Following that decision, the government proposed Upadhyaya and Poudyal as envoys to the two neighboring countries.
The complaints filed against Upadhyaya allege that he was involved in toppling the Oli government, lobbying against that government and not cooperating with the government during the border blockade imposed by India.
PHSC to start hearing of envoy-nominees soon
Meanwhile, the PHSC has decided to call for complaints if any against Ram Prasad Sitaula, who is recommended by Nepal Bar Association as a member of the Judicial Council.
NBA had recommended Sitaula for the position last week.
Sitaula was nominated a Judicial Council member by the then Sushil Koirala government also. Following the promulgation of the new Constitution, Sitaula's name was forwarded to the PHSC for hearings. But his name was subsequently withdrawn by the Oil government. This time, he has been nominated by the NBA.
