Urja Khabar
KATHMANDU; The recommendation committee formed to appoint the next managing director of the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has shortlisted three candidates, with the final appointment now resting with the Council of Ministers.
The committee has forwarded the names of Kaushal KC of Naubahini Rural Municipality-6, Pyuthan; CA Nagendra Sah of Nagrain Municipality-3, Dhanusha; and Sanjeev Kumar Dev of Rajbiraj Municipality-13, Saptari to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
The shortlist was approved during the recommendation committee's meeting held on Sunday following an evaluation process that included the submission of professional work plans, presentations and interviews. According to the ministry, the selection was carried out in line with the ‘Directive on Appointment and Nomination of Officials in Public Bodies Affiliated to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, 2021.’
The top post at the state-owned oil monopoly has remained vacant since former Managing Director Chandika Prasad Bhatta resigned on May 13. The ministry had invited applications through an open competition on June 16 to fill the position.
One of the three shortlisted candidates will be appointed as the NOC managing director for a four-year term by the Council of Ministers.
The appointment is being closely watched, as the new chief will be responsible for overseeing the country's fuel supply management, expanding strategic fuel storage capacity and petroleum pipeline infrastructure, and driving institutional reforms at the corporation.
