Nepal government reassigns removed university officials, sparking legal questions

Nepal's government has stirred controversy by reassigning officiating responsibilities to university office bearers it had recently removed through an ordinance. The move has drawn sharp criticism from academics who question the legality and consistency of the administrative process.

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The assignments were made under the direction of Prime Minister and Chancellor Balendra Shah, while appointment letters were issued by Education Secretary Choodamani Paudel.

Earlier this month, the government dismissed all top officials at various universities, including vice chancellors, registrars, rectors, and deans, via an ordinance. This mass dismissal caused significant disruptions to university operations. In response, the government has now begun issuing temporary appointments to the same individuals to ensure day-to-day functions continue until permanent selections or alternative decisions are made.

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The manner in which these appointments have been made has triggered criticism.

Academics have labeled the decision as arbitrary, pointing to the apparent contradiction of removing officials only to reinstate them in interim roles. For instance, former Vice Chancellor Bijukumar Thapalia at Purbanchal University, who was dismissed, has been reassigned officiating duties. Similarly, at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Nepal Sanskrit University, and Purbanchal University, previously removed officials have been reinstated in officiating capacities. Even the Member Secretary of the National Examination Board, who was dismissed, has been reinstated.

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assistant deans have been assigned officiating duties to ensure day-to-day operations.

Officials, however, maintain that the law permits interim arrangements. They state that these appointments were made under the direction of Prime Minister and Chancellor Balendra Shah, with appointment letters issued by Education Secretary Choodamani Paudel. The rationale provided is to ensure the continuity of university operations. At Kathmandu University, examination controller Rishikesh Wagle has been appointed officiating Vice Chancellor, with former registrar Rajiv Shrestha and other dismissed deans also reinstated in officiating roles. The legal basis for these appointments remains unclear to critics, who are questioning the rationale and procedures followed.

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deans will serve in officiating roles until permanent appointments are made, in order to ensure continuity of daily operations.