Kathmandu- Kulman Ghising became a household name for ending load-shedding in his first term. But his second tenure failed to deliver the same impact, with allegations of mismanagement and stalled projects.
The decision to remove Ghising was made during a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
Ghising was dismissed over allegations of failing to cooperate with the government. Energy Minister Deepak Khadka was frustrated with his unilateral decision-making and lack of coordination. Despite multiple directives, Ghising failed to comply, leading to his dismissal on Khadka’s recommendation.
On March 5, the government issued a three-day notice asking him to justify why he should not be removed. The Energy Ministry followed up on March 6, seeking clarification on four key issues. Earlier, the ministry had requested explanations three times—on January 6, January 12, and last week with a 24-hour deadline—dissatisfied with his responses.
Ghising was accused of aggravating disputes over dedicated and trunk power lines, delaying underground cable projects, slowing transmission and substation development, and mismanaging electricity from hydropower plants, drawing government scrutiny.
He submitted his performance evaluation five months late, rating himself at 98.99 prcent, but the ministry’s assessment differed. Government rules allow dismissal if performance scores below 50 percent.
Ghising was first appointed as Managing Director on September 14, 2016 for four years. His term ended on September 14, 2020, and Hitendra Dev Shakya was appointed in his place. However, on August 11, 2021, the government removed Shakya and reinstated Ghising for a second term, which was set to end in this August.
Now, Shakya has been reappointed to the role.
