KATHMANDU: Following the retirement of Comptroller General Ganesh Prasad Pandey, the promotion committee, under the chairmanship of Public Service Commission Chairman Madhav Prasad Regmi, has recommended three joint secretaries for promotion to the vacant secretary post.

Bhupal Baral, Dandu Raj Ghimire, and Dr. Khagendra Prasad Subedi have been shortlisted for the position. Senior joint secretary Bhupal Baral, ranked first among the recommended candidates, is currently serving in the Ministry of Forest and Environment.

Dandu Raj Ghimire, ranked second, is stationed in the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, while Dr. Khagendra Prasad Subedi, ranked third, serves as a psychologist at the Public Service Commission. Baral and Ghimire are affiliated with the Nepal Administrative Service, whereas Subedi is part of the Nepal Education Service.

Subedi, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 58 on 18 Bhadra, 2082, has a limited time left in service. Ghimire will remain in government service until 1 Shrawan, 2084, while Baral, born in 2035, has significant time remaining before reaching retirement age, even with the possibility of serving as secretary for five years.

Meanwhile, Shobha Kant Poudel has been promoted to fill the secretary post vacated by Binod Prakash Singh, the former Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation. However, Poudel has yet to be formally installed in the position.

The final decision on the promotion to the secretary post will be made by the Council of Ministers in an upcoming meeting. This recommendation process highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring smooth leadership transitions and effective administration.