The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to the government over the appointment of Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The apex court has summoned the defendants to discuss whether an interim order should be issued.

The court’s decision came in response to a writ filed by four deputy managing directors of NEA, including Kanaihya Kumar Manandhar.

A single bench of Justice Ananda Mohan Bhattarai issued the orders to six government agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Energy Ministry, to justify the appointment process.

Manandhar, along with Sher Singh Bhat, Surendra Raj Bhandari and Sunil Kumar Dhungel, had filed the writ last Tuesday.

The writ stated the government had not followed the due procedure while appointing Ghising to the top NEA post. “The newly-appointed NEA chief doesn’t even qualify for the post of deputy managing director,” the writ stated.

A Cabinet meeting had last week appointed Ghising as the chief of NEA. The post was vacant since Sept 9 after Mukesh Raj Kafle resigned.

Ghising is considered close to the ruling CPN Maoist (Centre) party. Ministry source said he was appointed as NEA chief at the behest of Energy Minister Janardan Sharma. “Initially, Minister Sharma responded making the appointment process transparent by forming a selection committee, but his plot was different in reality,” the source said. “He succeeded in bring his own man finally.”

“The selection criteria was developed in such a way that Ghising fits in the post very well,” said the source.

According to the terms of reference set by the selection committee, the potential candidates had to possess a master’s degree in engineering with at least 15 years of experience in generation, transmission or distribution of electricity.

Likewise, the candidates demonstrating a leadership position in any projects would be considered added advantage. “This criterion worked in favour of Ghising,” the source added.

Ghising is credited for expanding Chilime Hydropower Company Limited, the country’s first indigenously-designed, locally-built and Nepali-financed power plant into the country’s leading power developing company during his tenure in the company as managing director.

“His tenure at Chilime as its chief was instrumental in his appointment,” said the source. “Senior staff at NEA are disappointed with the appointment.”