Vaidya, Pradhan elected FNCCI senior vice president, treasurer

KATHMANDU: Sur Krishna Vaidya and Manish Lal Pradhan were elected Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in an election held on Friday at the FNCCI secretariat in Teku.

Vaidya won the Senior Vice President post after competing with Ram Chandra Sanghai and Hem Raj Dhakal, who later withdrew his candidacy. Manish Lal Pradhan defeated Ambika Prasad Paudel for the Treasurer post. The elections were conducted under Clauses 29.5 and 29.8 of the FNCCI Statute 2049, including the seventh amendment.

Likewise, FNCCI President Anjan Shrestha nominated six central members, including two women. The nominees include Shiva Prasad Ghimire, Manish Lal Pradhan, Naveen Rijal, Gokarna Karki, Darshana Shrestha and Sahara Joshi. Under Article 29(F)10 of the FNCCI Statute, up to seven members may be nominated, with at least two women required; one nominated member post remains vacant.

President Shrestha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected and nominated office-bearers and members. Extending congratulations, he said, “everyone should move forward unitedly for the professional rights and interests of the private sector and the economic development of the country.” He added that “FNCCI will remain active for economic prosperity and development while addressing the demands of industrialists and businesspeople across the country.”

The elections follow the FNCCI’s 60th AGM and earlier votes on May 4 and 5, which resulted in Anjan Shrestha being elected President under the provision that the Senior Vice President automatically becomes President. That arrangement was implemented for this term only under the seventh amendment made in 2024. The amended statute removes the automatic succession for future terms and provides for the President to be elected through a direct vote at the AGM.