Kathmandu, February 14

The Supreme Court today cleared the way for Chief Executive Officer of National Reconstruction Authority Govinda Raj Pokharel to continue his job.

The apex court issued the order in response to a writ petition filed by former NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali seeking Pokharel’s dismissal from the post. A joint bench of justices Jagadish Sharma Paudel and Hari Krishna Karki denied an interim order against Pokharel’s appointment, but ruled that the petition be given preferential treatment.

According to the SC, Pokharel will continue to hold office of the CEO until the final verdict.

The government had removed Gyewali and appointed Pokharel as the NRA CEO on January 11, stating that the clarification furnished by the former was not satisfactory.

When NRA was formed to lead post-earthquake reconstruction work, the then Sushil Koirala-led government had appointed Pokharel, the then vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, in the position.

Pokharel, however, was relieved of the position before the body came into operation and was replaced by Gyewali.

The government in December last week had initiated the process of removing Gyewali from the powerful position, citing his ‘unsatisfactory’ performance. Gyewali was appointed by the erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-led coalition government in December 2015.