After the delay of months, the government on Thursday appointed National Planning Commission Vice Chairman Govinda Pokhrel as the chief executive officer of the Reconstruction Authority formed to coordinate reconstruction works in the wake of the April 25 Great Earthquake.

Pressure had been piling on the government to appoint the CEO to implement reconstruction and resettlement projects as promised by the government during the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction. The donor community and development partners have pledged over $4.4 for rebuilding the country.

A Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to appoint Pokhrel, who became the NPC head in May, 2014. Geologist Taranath Bhattarai has been named an expert in the authority. Pokhrel, who led the preparation of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment, a detailed account of the damage inflicted by the quake, has “comfortable” working relations with the donor community and other development partners. Prime Minister Sushil Koirala was in favour of appointing Pokhrel since the inception of the authority, according to a minister.

Pokhrel, who was appointed the NPC vice chairman on the NC’s quota, was not a common candidate in the party. “Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat, Law Minister Narahari Acharya and Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya were against his appointment since the beginning. They argued that a same person should not be appointed to such major posts repeatedly,” said the NC minister.

PM Koirala, adamant on his position, had also reached out to CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli and got his backing in the decision, said the minister. Koirala on Wednesday sent a message to Oli that he had decided to appoint Pokhrel, offering the vacant NPC post to the coalition partner.

Others vying for the post included former Home and Foreign Minister Madhav Ghimire and former Nepal Army General Balananda Sharma. Along with the PM, the deputy PM and home minister, the finance minister, the urban development minister and the tourism minister are the members on the authority.

The CEO will have a five-year tenure but he may be sacked if he performs below the mark. The PM also appoints three experts and a secretary.

Chhetri confirmed CoAS

The Cabinet on Thursday confirmed Gen Rajendra Chhetri as the Army chief with Chief of Army Staff Gaurav SJB Rana retiring on September 10. The government also decided to celebrate Yoga Day on Magh 1.