The government has dismissed the member secretary of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), appointed through the bureaucratic promotion system, while the politically appointed vice-chair continues to remain in office.

The decision was taken under two ordinances, including one amending several Nepal Acts and another related to the removal of public office holders, resulting in the dismissal of member secretary Mahesh Bhattarai.

Officials within CTEVT have accused the government of inconsistency, arguing that staff appointed through institutional promotion are being removed while politically appointed office-bearers are being retained.

A senior CTEVT director, who refused to be named, said the move appears legally and administratively flawed. “The member secretary is a post where a CTEVT joint secretary is promoted to secretary level by the Cabinet. The vice-chair, however, is a political appointment made by the government. The member secretary has been removed, but the vice-chair has not. This is an unusual decision,” he said.

Bhattarai has already received his dismissal letter from the Ministry of Education and has left office after education secretary Chudamani Paudel issued the termination letter on May 4. Joint Secretary Bhuvaneshor Dhungana has been given acting responsibility as member secretary.

However, Vice-chair Mohammad Shaphiullah continues in his post.

Under the CTEVT law, the member secretary is appointed by the Cabinet from among senior officials within the council. Bhattarai was appointed through the provision.

He has questioned the legality of his removal, arguing that his appointment was made through a structured promotion process and that no equivalent post exists within the council for reassignment. “How can a promotion-based appointment be revoked when the post itself has not been abolished?” he said, adding that he still had 14 months remaining in service before retirement age.

Bhattarai has also raised concerns publicly, including on social media, where he criticised Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel and detailed his long service history within CTEVT.

Officials at the Ministry of Education and CTEVT have declined formal comment. However, a ministry official said the ordinances appear to suspend the tenure of nominated members of the CTEVT, which includes both the member secretary and vice-chair.

“This has created a situation where bureaucratic appointees are being removed while politically appointed office-bearers remain in place. The basis is not fully clear,” the official said.

Sources said that although the ordinance appears to affect the vice-chair’s position as well, no formal dismissal letter has been issued, allowing him to remain in office. The ordinance provides that removal takes effect automatically, with formal notification to be issued by the ministry’s secretary.

The changes affect provisions of the CTEVT Act 1988, including rules governing tenure of nominated members and council structure.

Education Minister Pokharel’s private secretary, Diwakar Bhujel, said the decision was taken in line with the ordinance, adding that complaints regarding Bhattarai’s removal would be reviewed further.

Former CTEVT member secretary Ramesh Kumar Bakhati also criticised the decision, calling it unjust and inconsistent with established appointment procedures for senior technical officials.

Vice-chair Shaphiullah was appointed on January 17 by the interim government led by Sushila Karki, following recommendations from a selection committee. He replaced former vice-chair Om Prasad Baral, who was removed after a Supreme Court ruling on eligibility. Shaphiullah previously served as general manager of Nepal Aushadhi Limited.