Kathmandu, Aug. 20 -- Major universities in the country have entered the new fiscal year without approved budgets as the government is yet to appoint registrars, leaving institutions dependent on acting officials and restricted interim spending arrangements.

Tribhuvan University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, Mid-Western University, Sudurpashchim University, Agriculture and Forestry University and Nepal Sanskrit University are among those with vacant registrar posts. Lumbini Buddhist University and Nepal Open University face wider leadership gaps.

The vacancies followed the government's May 2 decision to remove senior university officials through an ordinance, in an attempt to replace politically appointed officials and int...