Over a dozen ambassadorial positions are lying vacant since the ‘political’ appointees under the royal regime were recalled. The diplomatic missions are bereft of head honchos basically due to the dilly-dallying mindset of the political class. This has affected policy focus, feedback and crisis management like the handling of Nepali workers in Lebanon recently. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Pradeep Gyawali, on behalf of Deputy PM K P Oli on Wednesday told the House of Representatives that the government is doing its homework to name the envoys shortly. Under the new rules, it is mandatory for the probables to face the Parliament Special Hearing Committee for an examination of sorts. This is a good system to determine the merit of candidates provided it is implemented with prudence.

Previously, those handpicked by the powers-that-be got appointed to the plum posts as a matter of reward. Reports now suggest that the seven-party alliance (SPA) government is considering filling these vacancies on the basis of quotas allotted to its constituents. The continuation of the unhealthy past practice is simply unworkable in the changed context. Any inclination towards the quota system is unworthy of the trust reposed in the government by the Jana Andolan II, besides being downright ridiculous. Sheer ability, experience, proven performance and intellectual rectitude should form the basis for selection of diplomats, especially the heads of missions. If not so, then the present dispensation would fare no better than its erstwhile autocratic predecessor.