Acting CoAS Rukmangad Katuwal
Acting CoAS Rukmangad Katuwal (File Photo)
The government has appointed Rukmangad Katawal to the post of acting Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) of Nepal Army after the current chief General Pyar Jung Thapa went on a traditional month-long leave before his retirement.
Monday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers took the decision to this effect.
Thapa handed over his responsibility to Katawal amidst a function at the Army Headquarters Friday, before he went on leave before his retirement on September 9.
Katuwal is one of the generals interrogated by the High Level Probe Commission for his alleged role in atrocities during the People’s movement.
Similarly, the cabinet meeting also decided to promote nine senior superintendent of Police (SSP) to the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).
Likewise, the meeting also appointed Ram Lal Shrestha to the post of member secretary of Lumbini Development Trust.
The cabinet has also decided to form a seven-member committee headed by Raj Kumar Gautam for the operation of the Biratnagar Jute Mill and appointed Prasanna Koirala to the post of Chairman of Dairy Development Cooperation.
Similarly, Saroj Devkota was appointed to the post of Chairman of the High Level Commission for Science and Technology and Subarna Ratna Shakya as its member secretary.
The cabinet meeting also decided to give Rs. 950,000 to those who lost both eyes in the popular movement of the country and Rs. 450,000 to those who lost both legs during the April movement.
Dissolving the committee headed by Dr. Sdudha Sharma to recommend for the treatment of people injured during the pro democracy movement of the country, the meeting entrusted the responsibility to the Health Ministry.
The government had already provided Rs. 100,000 to the family members of the martyrs of the pro-democracy movement of the country.
The government also decided to provide Rs. 100,000 and bear all the medical expenses of Chaya Devi Parajuli, who had played an important role during the pro-democracy movement of the country at the age of 86.