Kathmandu — Leadership has once again shifted at the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Executive Director Hitendra Shakya has been transferred to the Energy Commission just six months after taking office.
On Sunday, the Council of Ministers decided to appoint Shakya to a special-class expert position at the commission. Although he had been appointed for a four-year term as NEA’s executive director, he was removed before completing his tenure.
Manoj Silwal Reappointed as Executive Director
Shakya has been replaced by former NEA Executive Director Manoj Silwal, who has now been reappointed to the role. Silwal previously led the authority and returns to oversee its operations once again.
The government has designated Shakya to a position equivalent to that of a secretary. His monthly salary will be 73,730 rupees, with an additional 221,190 rupees in allowances. In total, he will receive 294,920 rupees in monthly remuneration. According to the Ministry of Energy, the new arrangement ensures that Shakya will not lose any of the benefits he previously received while heading the authority.
Shakya was first appointed as NEA’s executive director in 2021. However, following a change in government, he was transferred to the Energy Commission. He later filed a case in court challenging the decision, though no verdict has been reached so far.
In March this year, he was reappointed as executive director after then-Managing Director Kulman Ghising was removed from the post. With Ghising now serving as Minister for Energy, Shakya has once again been reassigned.
Shakya’s Response
Speaking briefly to Shakya said he intends to accept the new role rather than pursue legal action this time.
“If the government has acted with good intentions, I am ready to cooperate. I have not thought about going to court at this stage,” he remarked.
