Five joint secretary posts vacant at finance ministry, two bodies without a chief

Five joint-secretary posts are vacant in departments and bodies under the Ministry of Finance. Following the transfer of one joint secretary and the resignation of two others, five divisions, offices and departments currently lack a regular head.

The Council of Ministers meeting on Asoj 13 transferred Ramkrishna Pudasaini, joint secretary at the Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Office, to serve as chief administrative officer of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City. Since no joint secretary has yet been sent to replace him, Under-secretary Dhan Bahadur Baruwal has been handling the office's charge as acting chief.

Joint comptroller general Bishnu Gyawali was also transferred the same day. Ministry officials say that while acting officials keep operations running, difficulties arise when major decisions need to be made.

Since the new government was formed on Chaitra 13, 2082, all joint-secretary posts at the ministry have not once been fully filled.