The government on Thursday sought clarification from National Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyewali over the delays in carrying out post-earthquake rebuilding works.

Expressing dissatisfaction at his performance, the Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to write to Gyewali, asking him to furnish a reply within seven days.

The government has raised four issues in the letter—Gyewali’s failure to coordinate with the government agencies for effective reconstruction works, his inability to mobilise staff efficiently, lack of implementation of the instructions given by the NRA directive committee, and the delay in issuing housing grants to the homeless families.

Sources at the Prime Minister’s Office said the move is intended to “sack” Gyewali as PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been expressing dissatisfaction at his works. PM’s chief political adviser Chakrapani Khanal said Dahal was not happy at the way reconstruction works are going on.

Relations between the Dahal government and Gyewali always remained frosty as the latter was seen as “close” to the CPN-UML. The erstwhile KP Sharma Oli-led government had appointed Gyewali in December, 2015.

The Cabinet move follows a long discussion between PM’s administrative adviser Narayan Dahal and Gyewali on Wednesday and Tuesday over the activities of the NRA. He conveyed to Gyewali that the PM was particularly concerned over his failure to address the expectations of the earthquake survivors.

In interviews, Adviser Dahal had been saying that Gyewali had two options: to show results or quit.

The PM’s core team is learnt to have the perception that CEO Gyewali has subtly defied the government’s instructions on the pretext of legal hurdles and donor sensitivity. PMO officials also find Gyewali’s working style incompatible with the requirement of a huge undertaking such as post-disaster reconstruction.

Minister for Poverty and Cooperatives Hridaya Ram Thani said the issue of seeking clarification from Gyewali was discussed in previous Cabinet meetings too.

According to the law, the government can relieve the CEO of his responsibilities giving him an opportunity to clarify.

In a statement after receiving the letter from government, Gyewali said the activities of the NRA done within a year of its establishment were transparent. He would clarify to the government the activities, challenges and problems related to reconstruction.