Prof. Dr. Devaraj Adhikari Resigns as Chairman of University Grants Commission

Summary: Prof. Dr. Devaraj Adhikari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), tendered his resignation on Friday, prior to the issuance of a new ordinance. The government has issued an ordinance amending 110 laws to revoke over 1,500 political appointments. Alongside him, vice chancellor of Tribhuvan University, Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal, and other officials have also resigned. Kathmandu, 19 Baishakh.

Prof. Dr. Devaraj Adhikari resigned as the UGC chairman a day before the ordinance was enacted. He said, “I submitted my resignation yesterday before the ordinance was issued.” Dr. Adhikari was appointed chairman in Magh 2079 (January 2023). The ordinance was issued by the government to annul political appointments made during the tenure of the previous administration. According to the President’s Office, 110 different laws were amended to cancel more than 1,500 political appointments. President Ram Chandra Paudel officially sanctioned the ordinance today.

Before the ordinance was promulgated, other officials including Tribhuvan University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal also resigned. On 17 Baishakh (May 31), Dr. Aryal, along with Education Director Prof. Dr. Khadga KC and Registrar Prof. Dr. Kedar Prasad Rizal, submitted their resignations. Similarly, on Friday, Sanskrit University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Dhaneshwor Nepal also resigned. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Dhanshyam Bhattarai, Chairman of the Tribhuvan University Service Commission, resigned as well.