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The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has sought clarification from Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kul Man Singh, citing multiple instances of non-compliance with directives and failure to meet performance agreement obligations.

Sending a letter on Monday, the ministry asked Ghising to submit clarification within seven days on why he she should not be terminated from service.

Ghising, who has been credited with ending decade-long power cuts during his first term, was appointed for a second four-year term on 11 Aug 2021 by the coalition government of Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Center). However, his relation with the government started deteriorating when a new coalition government of NC and UML assumed office. The dispute over outstanding dues from dedicated and trunk consumers further aggravated the situation.

The ministry has said in the letter that Ghising denied the ministry detailed information about alleged irregularities in transformer procurement. Despite being given a deadline, Singh submitted only partial details, which, according to the ministry, were incomplete, vague and divergent from the requested information.

The letter also states that Ghising’s ‘note of dissent’, recorded on a decision taken by the NEA board meeting regarding the dedicated feeder and trunk line tariff dispute, demonstrates disobedience to government directives and violates Section 25 of the Nepal Electricity Authority Act.

The ministry has also accused Ghising of not submitting performance evaluation details within the stipulated time frame. “You were required to submit the total score of performance evaluation to the Board of Directors of NEA, and according to Clause 8.6 of the agreement, the evaluation should have been conducted based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for works completed under Key Performance Areas (KPAs). However, you have failed to comply with the agreement by not submitting the required details even after 112 days have elapsed since the mid-August,” the letter states.

The Ministry has also expressed concern over Singh's conduct during board meetings, describing it as ‘uncooperative’. The ministry has termed his behavior as “unprofessional and unsuitable for the head of a government agency”.

“You have acknowledged in writing that you would coordinate with the Ministry and provide the required details promptly. However, as this has not been done, your evaluation cannot proceed under Clause 10.3 of the agreement. Therefore, you are asked to clarify why your appointment should not be terminated under the same clause,” the letter sent to Ghising states.

In an effort to strengthen its position, the CPN (Maoist Center) is preparing to revive some radical agendas, including the right to self-determination and ethnicity-based autonomous provinces—issues the party abandoned during the constitution drafting process in 2015. A political document presented by Maoist Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal during the party’s Central Committee meeting proposes reactivating the ethnic and caste-based structures established during the insurgency and the subsequent peace process. These structures were compromised during the constitution drafting process to reach consensus with other parties.

The Maoist party had originally proposed 14 autonomous provinces based on ethnic groups. However, this proposal was strongly opposed by the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN-UML, who argued it could lead to national disintegration. As a result, the Maoists were forced to compromise. “The issue of identity-based federalism has been overshadowed, and we must apologize for this,” Dahal said at the ongoing Central Committee meeting. He emphasized the need to rebuild relationships with indigenous communities, Janajatis, and other marginalized groups—the party’s core constituencies—while reviving regional and caste-based party organizations.

Dahal has also expressed that the party should collaborate with revolutionary forces rather than parliamentary parties like the NC and UML. However, many Maoist leaders argue that Dahal raises such radical agendas only when relegated to the opposition bench in Parliament. A senior leader remarked, “Once he gains power through alliances with the NC or UML, he completely forgets these communities and even embraces rightist and Hindu fundamentalist agendas.”

From 2008 until the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, the Maoists, then the largest party, vigorously championed these issues. However, the party gradually abandoned them after its relegation to third place in the 2013 Constituent Assembly elections. Dahal has now urged party members to apologize and self-criticize for not prioritizing these agendas after the constitution drafting process. Despite becoming prime minister twice post-constitution promulgation—in alliance with the NC and UML—Dahal did little to address these issues.

The political document also outlines the party's position on constitutional amendments. The Maoists propose replacing the current system with a directly elected presidential system, a longstanding agenda they have pushed since joining the peace process. Additionally, they are preparing to reiterate their support for a fully proportional representation (PR) electoral system, which other major parties are unlikely to accept. Currently, the electoral system is a mix of PR and First-Past-the-Post (FPTP). The likelihood of major party agreement on adopting full PR remains minimal.

One of Dahal’s key proposals is to increase women’s representation in state organs from the current 33 percent to 50 percent, an initiative aimed at attracting female constituencies. These proposals are part of a broader strategy to revive the party’s waning influence. Despite maintaining its position as the third-largest party in the past two national elections and serving as a decisive force in government formation, the party’s overall strength has diminished. While it retains strongholds in some districts of the far and mid-western regions, its urban presence has weakened. Dahal acknowledges this in his document and proposes a roadmap to rebuild the party’s urban support.

The roadmap includes providing opportunities for youth within the party, increasing membership, maintaining financial transparency, and exposing the current government’s misdeeds. To regain urban support, Dahal emphasizes launching targeted campaigns in Kathmandu Valley, cities, and highway areas. He underscores the importance of establishing a strong presence in the capital, vital for implementing the party’s policies and strategies. Notably, the Maoists failed to secure a single seat in Kathmandu Valley during the 2022 elections, even with an electoral alliance with the NC.

To address urban challenges, Dahal’s document proposes tackling issues such as urbanization, traditional and cultural heritage preservation, waste management, water supply, drainage, and public transportation. He recalls the party’s failed 2009 urban revolt, which was quickly abandoned following protests from Kathmandu’s elite, whom he had derisively referred to as “Sukila Mukila.”

While Dahal’s proposals aim to rejuvenate the party, his underlying priority appears to be returning to power and destabilizing the current coalition government. Reports indicate that a faction of NC and Maoist leaders is discussing forming a new alliance. This has led some party leaders to question Dahal’s sincerity in advancing the party’s position. A senior Maoist leader, speaking anonymously, stated, “Once Dahal gains power, he forgets all these agendas and even avoids convening party meetings.”

In his document, Dahal has adopted a tough stance against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli while maintaining a softer approach toward NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, reflecting potential power-sharing considerations. Although Dahal and Oli frequently clash publicly, Dahal and Deuba rarely criticize each other in public forums.

Dahal’s proposals reflect an attempt to address both the party’s declining influence and the grievances of marginalized communities. However, internal skepticism remains about his commitment to these agendas, given his track record of abandoning them when in power. The Maoists face significant challenges in rebuilding their urban and national support base, particularly as they compete with stronger, more established parties.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and properties in the earthquake that struck Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China this morning.

Extending heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family members through the social platform X today, President Paudel prayed for the early recovery of those injured in the disaster.

He stated that Nepal stands firmly by the Government and the people of the People's Republic of China at this moment of profound grief.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged all to stay alert and safe in the wake of the earthquake.

Taking to social media early this morning, PM Oli said, "Nepal is witnessing earthquakes of varying scales in recent days, so everyone needs to be alert and adopt safety."

An earthquake measuring 7 Richter scale with its epicenter in Tibet shook various districts in Nepal, including the federal capital, Kathmandu. It occurred at 6:50 am today.