For his ‘democracy’ tilt, Nepal diplomat loses job

With King Gyanendra’s regime targeting officials who are deemed sympathetic towards pro-democracy forces, Nepal’s Deputy Chief of ...

With King Gyanendra’s regime targeting officials who are deemed sympathetic towards pro-democracy forces, Nepal’s Deputy Chief of Mission in India finds himself headed home.

Pradip Kathiwada, who still has two years to go, has been abruptly recalled to Kathmandu where they will decide his future.

A career diplomat of joint secretary rank, Kathiwada was informed two days ago by the Nepal Foreign Office that he must relinquish charge and report back to headquarters. The diplomat today officially informed South Block that he would be leaving New Delhi within two weeks.

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The problem is that his next assignment is not known. According to a new Civil Services Ordinance being implemented by Gyanendra, an officer with no post will be put in a reserve pool and if no assignment is allotted in the next six months, the officer could be asked to quit.

Packaged as part of Gyanendra’s ‘‘good governance’’ promise soon after he assumed all power on February 1, this measure is being seen as a convenient vehicle to target those officials who are felt to be unsympathetic towards the monarchy.