Province 3 minister locks secretary’s office

Hetauda, April 10

Animosity between Province 3 Minister of Social Development Yubaraj Dulal and the secretary at the Ministry of Social Development reached a flash point today when Minister Dulal padlocked the office of Secretary Loknath Poudel.

Dulal accused Poudel of not working and letting files pile ever since taking charge as secretary. The minister said he was forced to padlock Poudel’s office as he did not respond even after a clarification was sought from him. “Ever since Poudel joined the ministry, he has been delaying decision on files and harassing other employees. Today he didn’t respond when I sought a clarification. I was compelled to take such a step,” Dulal told THT.

Dulal said Poudel’s behaviour vitiated the working ambiance at the ministry and diminished staff’s morale. “Poudel was reminded time and again that by sitting on files he was hindering the ministry’s functioning. This ministry cannot function with Poudel as its secretary,” added Dulal.

The minister even accused Poudel of lying to him. “Poudel lied to me that files had not reached his desk from departments under the ministry. But I found that he was sitting on the files. I padlocked his room when I was convinced that he would not change his work style,” Minister Dulal stated.

When contacted, Poudel declined to comment.

After his office was padlocked, Poudel left for Kathmandu. He has gone on a 10-day leave, acting Secretary Dipendra Subedi at the ministry told THT.