Kathmandu: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising has responded to the Energy Ministry’s latest clarification notice, asserting that the ministry does not have the authority to seek an explanation from him. While submitting his response on Thursday, Ghising argued that the repeated demand for clarification contradicts the principles of law and justice.

Energy Minister Deepak Khadka had sought clarification from Ghising through Ministry Secretary Suresh Acharya, a move that Ghising has labeled as subjective and baseless. He maintained that since he was appointed by the Council of Ministers, only the Cabinet has the right to seek an explanation or take any action against him.

Ghising further claimed that the accusations against him were unfounded and pointed out that his previous responses had been dismissed without any solid reasoning. The Energy Ministry had issued a 24-hour clarification notice on Tuesday, asking him to justify why he should not be removed from his position. This came after Minister Khadka accused Ghising of failing to comply with government directives and subsequently proposed his dismissal to the Cabinet. However, the Council of Ministers did not make any decision regarding his removal in its Monday meeting. Following this, the Energy Ministry issued another clarification notice through a ministerial-level decision, demanding a response within a day.

This is not the first time Ghising has been asked for an explanation. The Energy Ministry had previously sought clarifications with him twice . However, dissatisfied with his previous two responses, the ministry issued another urgent clarification notice, intensifying the standoff between the NEA chief and the government.