Fresh deliberations begin on Federal Civil Service Bill

Kathmandu, December 8 — The parliamentary Committee on State Affairs and Good-Governance has initiated discussions with the lawmakers proposing an amendment to the Federal Civil Service Bill 2024 BS.

The Bill which seeks to address the need of operating and managing the laws related to the civil service, terms and conditions and perks and benefits of the civil servants in line the with federal set-up, was first registered in parliament in 2019. 

It suffered several setbacks including its withdrawal over the period of time. The incumbent government on March 4 this year registered a new bill in the parliament. 

Parliamentarians, however, have proposed several amendments to the bill since it has been sent to the relevant Committee on May 28. 

In today's meeting of the Committee, those lawmakers proposing amendment to the bill univocally called for reforming the current civil services by simplifying and streamlining public service delivery rather than civil employees focusing on personal gains.

Pressing for performance-based promotion of civil servants, the lawmakers underlined the need to end the trend of transferring the employees with the change in government.

Earlier in the meeting, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Raj Kumar Gupta outlined the bill's goal of making civil employees politically impartial, competent and inclusive, participatory and professional.

Minister Gupta described, "The Bill has been brought to formulate Act to make public service delivery more effective by making civil servants highly moral and ethical."

Gupta asserted that the Bill was introduced to devise a framework for making civil service as a mechanism for good-governance by making it politically neutral, committed towards the federal democratic republic system and national interest, professionally capable and responsible.

He also pointed out the need to address challenges such as frequent transfer of the civil employees with the changes in the government and streamline the service which he deemed was a 'permanent' government'.

Likewise, Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary explained that amendment to the bill was sought so as to facilitate the implementation of the court's verdict regarding inclusion of Tharu community in the civil service.

The amendment proposes to limit the age entry into civil service for female upto 37 years from current 40 years and for male, upto 32 years from current 35 years and 60 years for retirement age.

The amendment calls for formation of 11 groups, nine grades and upto 14 levels in the civil service.

During the meeting, Chief Secretary of the government, Ek Narayan Aryal highlighted the range of issues hindering the smooth operation of the administration such as lack of timely legislations and procedures.

Emphasizing good-governance and transparency in civil service, he shared about key gaps in the recruitment and transfer of the civil servants caused due to mistakes while adjusting the civil employee in the past. 

He underscored the need for finalizing the bill at the earliest to facilitate the implementation of the federalism.  "In absence of Act, the civil employees have become like toys," the Chief Secretary expressed his displeasure.