Kathmandu: The much-awaited Civil Service Bill has finally been passed by the National Assembly, the upper house of the federal parliament, on Tuesday. The legislation, which includes a two-year cooling-off period, was passed on the last day for its passage.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Bhagawati Neupane, had tabled a proposal seeking the passage of the Civil Service Bill, 2080, along with a message received from the House of Representatives. National Assembly Chairman Narayan Dahal announced the unanimous passage of the bill.
Earlier, Minister Neupane addressed the queries and concerns raised by the lawmakers. She emphasized that the Bill would effectively manage civil employees in accordance with federalism. Neupane remarked, “NA has created a history. Consensus was reached with utmost harmony. The Bill will pave the way for the adjustment of the civil employees in line with the federal system. Confusion in civil service will fizzle out.”
During the deliberations, NA members Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami, Gopal Bhattarai, Radheshyam Paswan, Padam Pariyar, Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma, Renu Chand, Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, and Maya Prasad Sharma shared their views.
In the first meeting of the NA on Tuesday, Legislation Management Committee Chair Tulasa Kumari Dahal presented the report on the Bill. She asserted that the Bill would strengthen federalism. “The report on the Bill has the provision that makes civil servants professional and committed to their duties and avoids conflict of interest in policy-making and enforcement. The Bill has managed that civil servants would not be allowed to secure any government appointment till two years of his/her retirement,” Dahal mentioned.
The Bill also stipulates that the age limit for civil servants will initially be set at 58 in the first year of the Act’s enforcement, increased to 59 in the second year, and 60 in the third year. Although controversy had previously surrounded the two-year cooling-off period, which hindered the Bill’s passage in the lower house, this issue has now been addressed by the NA. However, it still requires endorsement by the lower house before moving to the President for final certification.
The National Assembly will reconvene on September 8.