Nepal’s first Vice-President appointee Paramananda Jha, whose post has been inactive for the last five months over an oath-taking controversy, would be sworn in a second time on Sunday.
Mr. Jha had earlier taken the oath in Hindi, sparking criticism and leading to the Supreme Court ordering him to retake it in Nepali. Mr. Jha refused to do so in August and his post became inactive.
Mr. Jha would most probably take his oath of office and secrecy in his mother tongue Maithili, his daughter, Jyoti, told The Hindu .
Last month, Nepal’s interim Constitution was amended so that Mr. Jha could take the oath in his mother tongue. According to the earlier provision, the President, the Vice-President and Prime Minister had to take the oath in Nepali. With the amendment, they can now take their oath in their mother tongues.
Mr. Jha will take up his job just a week ahead of President Ram Baran Yadav’s official visit to India from February 15-18.
