KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) has dismissed Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security Dipak Kumar Sah. Prime Minister Shah made the decision to remove Sah from the ministerial post on Thursday following a recommendation from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane had recommended the action to the Prime Minister on Thursday, stating that Labor Minister Sah abused his official position by involving his wife in the regular operations of the Health Insurance Board as a member, despite her having been inactive for a long time.

Previously, on Wednesday, the Central Discipline Commission of the RSP had submitted a report to the party after a detailed study, recommending action against Sah. Concluding that such activities by Minister Sah would seriously damage the party’s image, ideals, principles, and dignity, Chairman Lamichhane presented the recommendation along with the commission’s report to Prime Minister Shah.

According to the press and research adviser to the prime minister, Dipa Dahal, the prime minister dismissed the labor minister based on that recommendation.

The RSP mentioned that Article 25 (4) (a) of the party’s constitution entrusts the chairman with the responsibility of protecting the party’s ideals and dignity. Furthermore, as Article 69 allows the party to exercise the ‘Right to Recall’ in cases of abuse of office, the recommendation was made to immediately remove Minister Sah from his responsibilities.

Additionally, Chairman Lamichhane recommended that Prime Minister Shah caution Minister for Health and Population Nisha Mehta for failing to show expected seriousness in handling this grave matter. Based on the recommendation, Prime Minister Shah has already cautioned Minister Mehta.