The directive comes following the disclosure that Rana has also been serving as a top executive of Dabar Nepal Limited that has lately been dragged into controversy for imprinting false manufacturing dates on its products.
The committee has directed the government to recall the envoy saying it is “unbecoming” of Rana to hold position in an Indian joint venture that is currently under the scanner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.[break]
This is the first time in Nepal that a parliamentary committee has directed the government to recall an ambassador serving abroad.
The committee said the envoy´s act of holding the position as managing director of the company is an abuse of authority and against diplomatic propriety.
The committee at the meeting held on Sunday had invited Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala to learn whether Rana has also been serving as a top executive of Dabar Nepal and the possible repercussions this could have on Nepal-India relations. Foreign Secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai briefed the meeting about Rana´s positions and answered the queries put forth by lawmakers as Minister Koirala failed to show up.
Bhattarai told the meeting that the ministry is in touch with Rana and is also aware about the action initiated by the CIAA against the Indian joint venture. Stating that the ministry had not received any directive from the CIAA, Bhattarai assured that the ministry would leave no stone unturned to facilitate investigation.
Bhattarai informed the parliamentary committee that envoy Rana held 2.5 percent share of the Dabar Nepal Limited and the position of managing director he holds is an honorary one. He informed the meeting that there was no conflict of interest between the position of envoy and managing director as Rana is not involved in the day to day activities of the company.
All nine lawmakers taking part in the discussions, however, demanded that envoy Rana be recalled immediately, arguing that Rana must have had conflict of interest. Those taking part in the discussions were CP Gajurel, Khadga Bahadur Bishwokarma, Sabitri Dura Gurung and Suresh Ale Magar of UCPN (Maoist), Lucky Sherpa and Radha Gyawali of CPN-UML, Kamala Thapa of Nepali Congress, Sunil Babu Panta of CPN (Samyukta) and Santa Bahadur Nepali of People´s Front Nepal.
“The envoy should have resigned on moral grounds after this controversy,” argued Nepali of the People´s Front Nepal. “Now the foreign ministry should recall him without any delay.”
Talking to Republica, Prime Minister´s Foreign Affairs Advisor Rajan Bhattarai said the government will take a decision on the issue after it gets the parliamentary committee directive. “The government will move ahead after learning the truth behind the incident,” he said.
The parliamentary committee also directed the government to investigate if Nepali Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hamid Ansari as reported has been depositing compensation received for the death of Nepali workers there in his personal bank account. The committee has also asked the government to recall him if found guilty.
According to committee Chairman Padam Lal Bishwokarma, they have decided to invite prime minister and peace minister in the next meeting to discuss government´s decision to send back UNMIN without forming an effective alternative mechanism to replace UNMIN.
I am awaiting MoFA directive: Rana
NEW DELHI: Ambassador to India Rukma Shumsher Rana, has declined to comment over the parliamentary committee´s directive to the government to recall him. Talking to Republica Rana said, "It is too early to comment on the issue," and added that he has to wait for some time to understand the real issue.
He, however, said that he has contacted concerned officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu.
"I have contacted the ministry about the committee´s directive to the government and the ministry officials have asked me to wait till further communications and directive," Rana said, adding, "I will do accordingly."
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