KATHMANDU: The government has removed 1,594 politically appointed officials through a new ordinance published in the Nepal Gazette on May 2, enforcing immediate changes across multiple public bodies.

Issued under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen), the ordinance targets officials appointed before March 26, regardless of their tenure or benefits, as part of a push to strengthen administration and accelerate reforms.

Following its publication by the Department of Printing, all affected officials are deemed automatically dismissed, with ministries directed to formally notify them. The move has also dissolved the five members board of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

According to officials, notifications to dismissed officials began on Monday after the resumption of officies which were closed during a three-day holiday. The ordinance also amends several laws and repeals key provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997 related to tenure and removal of authority officials.