Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Army has issued a seven-day notice recommending the promotion of its senior-most Major General, Ashok Sigdel, to the rank of Lieutenant General.
The promotion committee, chaired by Lieutenant General Sitaram Khadka, issued the notice for recommending Major General Sigdel for the promotion to the vacant position of Lieutenant General, according to Nepal Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Krishna Prasad Bhandari.
During this seven-day period, any grievances or complaints against Major General Sigdel can be registered with the army headquarters. If no complaints arise within this timeframe, Sigdel will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General by the cabinet.
The Nepal Army currently has two positions for Lieutenant General. One position became vacant with the retirement of Lieutenant General Saroj Pratap Rana on October 28. The tenure of the other Lieutenant General, Sitaram Khadka, is also ending next month.
This is the first time that the position of Lieutenant General has become vacant since Chief of Army Staff Prabhu Ram Sharma assumed office.
The Nepal Army had previously issued a notice recommending the promotion of Major General Tara Dhwoj Pandey. However, Pandey submitted his resignation after an inquiry committee was formed by the army headquarters to investigate complaints that he tampered with government documents to alter his date of birth, thereby extending his service tenure. The recommendation process for the Lieutenant General began after the cabinet approved his resignation on Thursday.
Since Lieutenant General Khadka is retiring next month, Sigdel, if promoted by the cabinet, will become the senior-most Lieutenant General and can succeed CoAS Sharma to the top post of the Nepal Army when his term ends on August 30 next year. The Nepal Army has the tradition of promoting officers on the basis of seniority.
Major General Sigdel, who previously led the Kathmandu Valley Division of the Nepal Army, is recognized for maintaining an unblemished military career.
