PM Balen’s advisors and secretariat appointments face scrutiny over qualifications, roles and expenses
Summary
Questions are being raised over the qualifications, roles and expenses of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s advisors and personal secretariat. Critics say the appointments may conflict with the government’s own good-governance and austerity claims, while the annual cost of the secretariat is estimated at about Rs 20 million.
Key Points
- Five of the 25 people appointed to Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s secretariat are advisors, with several placed at minister- or state-minister-level status.
- Former officials and governance experts say the appointments raise concerns over qualifications, job descriptions and whether the advisors are exceeding their legal roles.
- The personal secretariat is estimated to cost around Rs 20 million a year in salaries alone, with total spending rising further when vehicles and facilities are included.
- The article also compares the Office of the Prime Minister’s budget with previous years, saying the allocation has increased under the current government.
