Leadership Vacuum at Nepal Insurance Authority as Chairman Absent for a Month

Kathmandu — The Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA) has faced administrative delays as its newly appointed Chairman, Janakraj Sharma, has been absent for nearly a month due to illness.

Sharma, a Joint Secretary to the Government of Nepal and Deputy Director General of the Inland Revenue Department, was appointed on Ashoj 10 (September 26) but attended office for only two days before taking leave.

The leadership position has remained contentious since the dismissal of former chairman Sharad Ojha, who challenged his removal in the Supreme Court. The court directed the government not to enforce the dismissal immediately, yet the Ministry of Finance maintained Ojha’s suspension, creating uncertainty over the leadership.

Following Ojha’s departure, Sebantak Pokharel served briefly as acting chairman before Sharma’s appointment. However, with Sharma now absent, many policy and administrative files remain pending, and board meetings have not been held for two months.

The Authority, which functions as a quasi-judicial body to resolve insurance-related complaints, has been unable to operate smoothly. Employees say the prolonged leadership instability has stalled key decisions and affected service delivery.

The Nepal Insurance Authority has seen five chairmen within a year, none serving long enough to ensure consistent governance.