Parliamentary hearings for 13 proposed ambassadors on Asoj 26-28, to finish before Dashain

The parliamentary hearing committee has decided to hold hearings for proposed ambassadors to 13 countries from Asoj 26 to 28.

At a meeting held on Tuesday at Singha Durbar, the committee approved the three-day schedule proposed by the secretariat. The committee has also drawn up a work plan to prepare a report and make recommendations on Asoj 29.

According to Chairperson Bodhanarayan Shrestha, seven complaints have been filed against the proposed ambassadors: two are against all of them, and five each target a single individual.

Hearings on complaints of a general nature will be held on Asoj 26 and 27, and those on serious complaints on Asoj 28. Chairperson Shrestha said that if the sub-committee deems it necessary, such hearings will be held after Dashain.

Some lawmakers had demanded that hearings be held after Dashain because of the festival and district visits. However, there was agreement to finish quickly, keeping in mind the shortage of ambassadors at diplomatic missions.

On Asoj 2, the Council of Ministers recommended Dr Nischal Nath Pandey for India, Dr Kalyan Raj Sharma for China, and Chiranjang Thapa for the United States, among others.

Under the existing arrangement, the president appoints ambassadors once the committee approves them.