KATHMANDU: Chief of Army Staff Rookmangud Katawal today met Defence Minister Bidhaya Bhandarai at the Defence Ministry, Singha Durbar.

According to a Defence Ministry source, the CoAS urged Bhandari to forward the proposal to promote Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh to the post of Lt General in the next cabinet meeting. If the cabinet approves the proposal, Gurung would replace retired Lt General Kul Bahadaur Khadka. "Major General Singh is the senior-most official eligible for the post, so he would be automatically promoted," the source added.

Likewise, Katawal also requested Bhandari to promote Chief of Legal Department, Brigadier General BA Kumar Sharma to the post of Major General at the earliest. If the cabinet refused to promote Sharma, he would retire on July 15.

The Nepali Army has planned to upgrade its Legal Department by creating a new position for major general to head the department. The cabinet should first approve the decision to create the new position before promoting Sharma.

The recommendations are in line with the NA's plan to seek equitable representation in the Army Special Court. The ASC comprises an Appellate Court judge, Secretary at the Defence Ministry and the Chief of the NA's Legal Department. While the Brigadier General is a first class officer, the Defence Secretary and the Appellate Court judge are special first class officials.

The duo also dwelt on the upcoming budget. The NA has been requesting additional budget for the modernisation and regular upkeep of the Nepali Army. It is learnt that the Defence Minister has been holding consultations with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to table the proposal in the next cabinet meet.