CoAS Katawal sore about Defence Ministry's refusal to extend tenure of
eight Generals

Nepal Army chief Rookmangud Katawal held separate meetings with President
Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Defence Minister
Ram Bahadur Thapa on Monday over the Defence Ministry's refusal to extend
the tenure of eight Brigadier Generals.

Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa (File Photo)

He first called on President Yadav at the latter's office, Shital Niwas,
to discuss the Defence Ministry's decision and its ramifications. Katawal
is known to have expressed serious reservation over the ministry's
decision saying it could create administrative complications in the army,
especially in the promotion procedures of senior officials.

The eight Brigadier Generals, who will retire from today, are: Pradeep
Bikram Rana, Pawan Bahadur Pandey, Kumar Budhathoki, Narendra Bahadur
Rawal, Raju Pratap K.C, Ramesh Bista, Nara Bahadur Kandel and Shiva
Poudel.

Chief of Army Staff of Nepali Army General Rookmangud Katawal (Photo source: DPR)

In a letter to the Defence Ministry on February 1, General Katawal had
requested the ministry to extend their tenure by three years.

Meanwhile, during his meetings with Prime Minister Dahal and Defence
Minister Thapa in the afternoon, the army chief is known to have
complained about the ministry's decision and urged them to reconsider it.

Brigadier Generals get retired after completing four years in the post,
but the Army Act allows them to continue until 57 years of age provided
the Defence Ministry extends their tenure. Most of the retiring Generals
are said to be under 54 years. nepalnews.com mk Mar 16 09