National
SC issues show cause notice over sacking of Sajha chair
The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause notice to the government for sacking Chairman and Managing Director of Sajha Publications Dolendra Prasad Sharma. A single bench of Justice Deepak Raj Joshi has issued the notice to the government while ordering both the sides to be present in the court.The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause notice to the government for sacking Chairman and Managing Director of Sajha Publications Dolendra Prasad Sharma. A single bench of Justice Deepak Raj Joshi has issued the notice to the government while ordering both the sides to be present in the court.
Sharma had reached the apex court seeking an interim order against the Ministry of Education’s decision claiming that he was relieved of his duty in an unfair manner.
On September 25, the ministry had sacked Sharma after Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Gopalman Shrestha was not satisfied with his clarification.
Appointed three years ago by the then education minister Chitra Lekha Yadav, his tenure had been extended once by outgoing minister Dhani Ram Poudel.
A probe panel led by Under Secretary Ganesh Dhakal had found that he had awarded contracts without inviting tenders for paper procurement; printing books at other printing outlets despite Sajha having its own press up and running; appointing people close to him, among others.
Based on these allegations, the meeting led by DPM Shrestha decided to remove him, said the decision. As per the recommendation of Dhakal panel, the ministry had sought clarification from Sharma.
He had first submitted a 100-page clarification but the ministry found it unsatisfactory and sought another one. He was eventually sacked after the second clarification too failed to convince the ministry.
The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority is also conducting a separate probe into those allegations against him.