Valley
Govt awaits AG Office’s advice
The government decision to continue Dr Jagdish Agrawal as the Dean of Institute of Medicine (IoM) hangs in the balance as the Attorney General Office has yet to give its final advice on the matter.The government decision to continue Dr Jagdish Agrawal as the Dean of Institute of Medicine (IoM) hangs in the balance as the Attorney General Office has yet to give its final advice on the matter.
On January 12, the government had reached an agreement with Dr Govinda KC to allow Dr Agrawal to continue as the IoM dean. In the five-point deal, the two sides agreed along the line of the Supreme Court decision to let Dr Agrawal continue as the institute’s dean.
Following the agreement, the Tribhuvan University had sought the Attorney General Office’s advice on the apex court verdict.
“The AG Office wrote to us seeking our opinion and understanding on the SC decision. We got the letter because education minister is the pro-chancellor of the TU. We are look into the matter,” said Hari Lamsal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education.
The government had based its agreement with Dr KC on the Supreme Court’s January 7 verdict to reinstate Dr Sashi Sharma as IoM dean while also stating that there was “no evidence to prove the appointment of incumbent Dr Agrawal as illegal”.
Legal experts have been coming up with multiple interpretations of the court ruling. Some say that Dr Agrawal can take over as the dean after Dr Sharma’s term expired, while others argue as there is no provision of two deans, Dr Agrawal’s term expired automatically after Dr Sharma’s reinstatement. Officials at the TU said they would decide as recommended by the AG Office.
“We don’t want confusion to fester on this matter. Our decision will be based on the recommendation of the AG Office,” said TU Rector Sudha Tripati. The AG Office did not respond to repeated requests from the Post for comment on the matter.
Dr KC warns of another protest
KATHMANDU: Dr Govinda KC, who has staged a numerous hunger strikes demanding reforms in medical education, on Tuesday warned of another round of protest if the government fails to implement the recommendations of the Gauri Karki led probe commission.
The commission was formed by the government to investigate into anomalies in the medical education sector. In a recommendation report submitted to the government this week, the commission has recommended action against TU Vice Chancellor Tirtha Khaniya, Registrar Dilli Upreti and Rector Sudha Tripati.
“Our fight is for a just society. We demand the government immediately take action against the office bearers as recommended by the Karki committee,” Dr KC said in a statement on Tuesday.
He has urged the government to set an example of accountability by taking action against the office bearers. Calling for putting an end to the practice of political meddling in universities, Dr KC suggested appointment of office bearers based on seniority, qualification and performance.
Dr KC has also said that there is no option for Chief Justice Gopal Parajuli but to resign from his position for a fair investigation into his citizenship case. “Also, police should launch investigation into CJ Parajuli’s death threats to an advocate,” he said. Senior Advocate Surendra Bhandari had lodged a complaint at the District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu last week, seeking security protection saying that he received death threats from CJ Parajuli.