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Cabinet ministers approve strong measures to improve security
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Nov 15 - A ministerial-level meeting Thursday gave directives to the security agencies to take strong measures to maintain peace and security in the country.
The cabinet also directed all three security agencies to strongly contain the ongoing violent activities across Terai and activities such as burning the national flag.
However, it was not clear what the strong measures would be.
Various armed groups leading agitations in Terai have warned to resume their armed struggle after Chhath-- one of the major festivals in Terai which is being observed this week.
In the high-level meeting held at Singha Durbar today at a time when the government is facing mounting criticism over the deteriorating law and order situation, the heads of security agencies had complained that they were not getting necessary support from the leadership of the major political parties.
Minister for Land Reform and Management Jagat Bahadur Bogati informed that the cabinet ministers had assured the security agencies that they would receive full support from all of the major political parties.
The cabinet ministers admitted that the security mechanisms were not functioning as effectively and expressed commitment to take bold measures in order to improve security in the country.
Although the high-level meeting was expected to appoint a health secretary, Minister Bogati said that discussions did not take place on the matter due to “existing differences”.
Earlier, this afternoon Health Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel had informed that the appointment of the health secretary has been delayed as it was yet to be decided whether the age of the candidate should be determined as per the Health Service Act (HAS) or the Civil Service Act (CSA).
The HSA and the CSA have fixed the cut-off age for the secretaries at 58 and 60 years respectively.
After 59-year-old Secretary Nirakar Man Shrestha was proposed for the post, a team consisting representatives of the Home, Health and General Administration ministers was formed to find a solution to the technical problem. However, the cabinet was expected to take a decision after the Public Service Commission dismissed the need for talks between the ministers and the commission on the matter.