Harkaraj Rai of Jhapa has been recommended as secretary of the House of Representatives. Speaker Devraj Ghimire met President Ramchandra Paudel on Sunday morning and submitted the recommendation as per Article 106 of the Constitution.

As per the Article, the President appoints the Secretary of the House of Representatives on recommendation of the Speaker, and the Secretary of the National Assembly on recommendation of the Chairperson.

The position became vacant after then secretary Suresh Adhikari resigned on November 24. Adhikari, who assumed office in July after retiring as Secretary of the Ministry of Education, cited health issues as the reason for his decision.

A resident of ward 2 of Shivasatakshi Municipality, Rai holds an MPhil in public administration, master’s degrees in political science and rural development, and bachelor’s degrees in English literature and journalism.