Kathmandu - Maha Prasad Adhikari has left the post of Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank. Adhikari, who was appointed as Governor on Chaitra 24, 2076 BS, has completed his 5-year term. Deputy Governors Dr. Neelam Dhungana and Bam Bahadur Mishra bid farewell to Governor Adhikari from the Rastra Bank at a program.

With the departure of Governor Adhikari, Dr. Neelam Dhungana has become the 'Acting' Governor based on seniority. Dhungana will remain in office until the Nepal Government's Council of Ministers appoints the 18th Governor. The Council of Ministers meeting is set to appoint a new Governor this week. A 3-member recommendation committee has been formed under the leadership of Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel.

The Finance Ministry has changed the criteria for appointing the governor at a time when there is less than a week left for the appointment of the governor. Stakeholders believe that the government has changed the age limit criteria for appointments with the aim of giving the responsibility of the central bank to an ‘outdated’ person, ignoring the qualified ‘cadre’ of Nepal Rastra Bank and the capable and economically savvy aspirants who are known in the market and are in the race for the governor.

While recommending the governor, the committee formed for the appointment of the governor has to recommend the names of three people from the fields of economics, monetary, banking, finance, commerce, management and commercial law and deputy governors to the Council of Ministers. Meanwhile, even after the governor has been relieved, no name has reached the Council of Ministers.