House of Representatives Secretary Padma Prasad Pandey has been appointed as the acting general secretary of the Federal Parliament.

Pandey was assigned the role by Speaker of the House of Representatives Dev Raj Ghimire on Wednesday in consultation with National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina.

“The lack of administrative leadership has hampered tasks relating to the Federal Parliament Day and recruitment of employees recommended by the Public Service Commission,” the Speaker’s secretariat said. “The Speaker has made attempts to hold talks with the President regarding the delay in the appointment of the general secretary, but to no avail.”

Earlier on Sunday, incumbent General Secretary Bharat Raj Gautam had submitted his resignation to President Ramchandra Paudel citing personal reasons.

Ghimire and Timilsina, on Monday, had then recommended lower house Secretary Pandey for the position.

Meanwhile, President Paudel has approved Gautam’s resignation.

President Paudel approved Gautam’s resignation on Wednesday with effect from Sunday [December 10], Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, spokesperson of the President’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Pandey will continue in the role as the acting general secretary until further arrangements are made.