KATHMANDU: Auditor General Bhanu Prasad Acharya on Wednesday submitted his resignation from the position, 16 days before his retirement date. According to the President's Office, Acharya called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari today and submitted the resignation as per Article 240(4A) of the Constitution. Spokesperson at the Office of the Auditor General, Baburam Gautam, said Acharya decided to resign 'in order to pave the way for the new appointment.' 'He was due to retire on July 8 because of the age constraint,' he said, 'Thus, he wanted to resign early so that a new Auditor General could be appointed before the date.' Gautam ruled out any political reason behind the resignation. 'We have already given him farewell at the Office today,' Gautam added. Assistant Spokesperson at the President's Office, Dhruba Raj Acharya, also informed that the President expressed her acknowledgement to Acharya for his job as the Auditor General Former Finance Secretary Acharya was appointed to the constitutional position on May 8, 2013.