Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
dipak shah
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balen Shah has dismissed Labour, Employment and Social Security Minister Deepak Kumar Sah from his post, acting on a formal recommendation from his party amid allegations of misconduct and abuse of authority.
According to officials, the decision was taken following a directive from Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, who had written to the Prime Minister seeking Sah’s removal.
Minister Sah came under scrutiny after he approved the reappointment of his spouse, Junu Shrestha, as a member of the Health Insurance Board—an action widely criticized as a conflict of interest and misuse of official position.
Sources indicate that concerns were also raised regarding his broader background and decision-making conduct, which ultimately led to swift political action.
Sah had been appointed to the ministerial position just 13 days ago, making his dismissal one of the shortest tenures in Nepal’s recent political history.
The move reflects increasing emphasis on internal accountability within the ruling party, with leadership taking a firm stance on ethical governance and ministerial conduct.
Rabi Lamichhane, in his communication to the Prime Minister, reportedly highlighted the seriousness of the issue, stating that the minister’s actions undermined the dignity and standards expected of public office.
In a related development, the Prime Minister has also issued a formal warning to Health and Population Minister Nisha Mehta, following a separate recommendation from the RSP leadership.
Lamichhane had urged caution, citing a lack of expected seriousness in handling sensitive responsibilities, particularly in matters related to governance and public accountability.
The dismissal underscores Prime Minister Balen Shah’s zero-tolerance approach toward perceived misconduct, even within a short period of appointment. It also signals a broader effort by the ruling leadership to maintain credibility and discipline within government ranks.
However, frequent ministerial changes may raise concerns about policy continuity, particularly in critical sectors such as labour and social security, which are central to Nepal’s employment landscape and migrant workforce management.
With the Labour Ministry now vacant, attention has shifted to who will replace Sah and how quickly the government moves to restore leadership stability in the portfolio.
The development is likely to have wider political implications, as it reflects both intra-party dynamics and the evolving standards of governance being enforced by the current administration.
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