Kathmandu: The provision for a ‘cooling-off period’ is to be included in the Civil Service Bill. The Legislation Management Committee of the National Assembly today decided to incorporate this provision in the bill, following significant controversy after the House of Representatives initially passed the bill without it.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during discussions on the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2080, the committee agreed to incorporate a two-year cooling-off period. This provision mandates that a civil servant or government employee who has resigned or retired cannot be appointed to any constitutional or government position until two years after their retirement.
Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhagawati Neupane, emphasized the importance of taking this issue forward positively. She highlighted that the bill addresses significant issues beyond the cooling-off period, including the appointment, transfer, and management of civil servants. Neupane stressed the necessity of the cooling-off period provision, suggesting that any practical issues could be addressed through amendments.
Furthermore, the committee members agreed that the cooling-off period would only apply to high-ranking Gazetted-level civil servants, such as the chief secretary, secretaries, and joint-secretaries, and not to employees below that rank. Committee Chair Tulasa Kumari Dahal instructed the secretariat to draft the report with precise wording for the agreed provisions.