NATIONAL10 [FACE TO FACE (Spotlight Weelky)]

PADMA KUMAR ACHARYA
Maintaining Supplies

Secretary at the Ministry of Supplies is well aware with the challenges of his post

By A CORRESPONDENT

From the very first day of joining civil service, one of the objectives of Padma Kumar Acharya was to become Secretary in the country's bureaucracy. It took him nearly three decades to achieve that goal.

In his long innings in civil service, Secretary Acharya has seen many ups and downs. He joined the bureaucracy at a time of authoritarian Panahcayat regime and later on he had to work under changed political context.

Born in Ilam district, Acharya joined civil service three decades ago (in 2027 B. S.) as a section officer. Before joining bureaucracy, Acharya also taught at Padma Kanya College for two years.

His sailing in civil service should be considered smooth as Acharya was promoted to the post of Under Secretary in 2033 B.S within six years. In his career, Acharya has spent most of his time in the Cabinet Secretariat.

Although he began his career as a lecturer in Tribhuvan University, Acharya is now in the Ministry of Supplies in the twilight of his carrier.

Acharya was promoted to the post of Joint Secretary in 1990 and was made Special Secretary in 1997. He was appointed as Secretary early this year.

A Masters in Art and Bachelor of Law, Acharya has worked with seven different prime ministers while serving at the cabinet secretariat.

"One of the major challenges of civil service today is lack of commitment and dedication among civil servants. The government must do something to encourage its employees," says Acharya.

From Cabinet Secretariat to the Ministry of Supplies, Acharya has many things to boast of. He was appointed Secretary at the Ministry of Supply at a time when some districts were facing scarcity in food grains and other essential commodities.

"As a secretary at the Ministry of Supplies, one of the major challenges for me is to maintain regular and adequate supplies in remote districts like Humla, Jumla and Dolpa," he said.

More than 20 districts in the northern part of the country are recognized as food deficit districts. The government is supplying essential commodities at a subsidized rate for people living there.

Serving briefly at the Ministry of Education : Health, Local Development and Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Acharya has accumulated diverse experience.

Dedicated and determined, Acharya has crossed many hurdles in the civil during his career. Due to opening of different organizations in civil service, it has been very difficult to work for several employees. "The politicization in civil service must be stopped as the situation is deteriorating fast, says he.

Leading the country's one of the most important ministries, Acharya's job seems to be very challenging. His Ministry is responsible in regulating prices of essential commodities.

Having visited more than half a dozen countries, Acharya has also undergone professional training abroad. He has received specialization training from Japan in national government.

Trained on public sector administration with special reference to privatization from the Royal Institute of Public Administration, U. K., Acharya has also participated in various seminars and symposia in different parts of the world.