Shailaja Acharya to be new ambassador to India

Kathmandu, Aug 30 (UNI) The Nepal government has proposed the name of Nepali Congress leader Shailaja Acharya as the new ambassador to India, along with other 20 ambassadors to various countries.

The names of ambassador will be presented to the Parliamentary Hearing Committee for the approval, official said.

Acharya was criticised by the political parties and Nepali Congress supporters for supporting the King's rule and being inactive during the popular movement against Gyanendra's dictatorial regime last year.

Cabinet meeting held at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's residence today approved the four names presented by CPN Maoists that include Pampha Bhusal for France, Vijaya Kanta Lal Karna for Denmark, Yogendra Dhakal for Australia and Dr Rishi Adhikari for Malaysia.

Prime Minister's advisor Dr Suresh Chalise has been recommended for the US, former Foreign Secretary Murari Raj Sharma for the UK and former Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, Pradip Khatiwada to Bangladesh.

Former Chief Secretary of the Parliament Secretariat Surya Kiran Gurung to Russia, University Teacher Tank Karki to China and conservationist Dr Ganesh Yonjan to Japan are also in the list of the ambassadors.

For the first time, the Nepal government has decided to open embassies in Australia, South Korea, Denmark, South Africa, Israel and South America.

The ambassadorial posts remained vacant for over a year after the royalists ambassadors were called back following the end of King Gyanendra's autocratic rule.

UNI