Kathmandu: Nepal government on Friday withdrew all state facilities given to Paramanand Jha in the capacity of Vice-President, including the salary and VVIP security cover of the Madhesi leader who is at the centre of a row over taking oath in Hindi.
Jha, hailing from southern Terai bordering India, had
courted controversy last year after he took the oath of office
in Hindi. Last week, he defied a Supreme Court deadline to
retake oath in Nepali or face disqualification and went on
leave after calling the ruling "unconstitutional".
The government has withdrawn a 75-member army team led by
a lieutenant colonel from Jha`s residence at Gaurihat. The
security personnel have been replaced by a team of the Armed
Police Force personnel comprising 21 members.
The motorcade security has also been pulled back
following which Jha will not get the privilege to put the
national flag at his house.
"We pulled out Nepal Army personnel and removed the
national flag from Jha`s residence," spokesperson for the Home
Ministry Ratna Raj Pandey was quoted by media as saying.
Jha`s salary has also been stopped.
Though he has technically ceased to function as the VP,
Jha`s post can be vacated only by a Parliamentary impeachment
motion. He said he will consider taking a fresh oath only if
the government and Parliament endorse a bill granting
recognition to all languages spoken in Nepal.
Bureau Report
