Amid public uproar over the unauthorized change in the two-year cooling-off period in the newly passed Federal Civil Service Bill, the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has decided to request the National Assembly to ensure that the provision is effectively retained.
The committee met on Wednesday following criticism that the cooling-off period—which bars senior bureaucrats from taking political or government appointments within two years of retirement—had been rendered ineffective through the addition of a sub-clause. While the core provision itself was not removed, the added sub-clause has exempted secretaries and joint secretaries from the restriction, sparking controversy.
Although it remains unclear who was behind the insertion of the sub-clause, several lawmakers have publicly pointed fingers at vested interest groups and called for an investigation. According to media reports, some have hinted at the involvement of bureaucratic circles, though no formal allegations have been made. What has further fueled the outrage is that many lawmakers were reportedly unaware of the sub-clause at the time the bill was passed by majority in the House of Representatives on Sunday.
According to the state-run news agency RSS, committee Chairperson Ramhari Khatiwada said that the panel unanimously decided to urge the National Assembly to reintroduce the intent of the original cooling-off clause and ensure it is not weakened. He also informed that the committee would request Speaker Devraj Ghimire to launch an investigation into how the controversial sub-clause was inserted, describing it as a serious breach of parliamentary norms and legislative integrity.
Several lawmakers expressed frustration, stating that the committee had originally reached a consensus to maintain a strict two-year restriction, and that the inclusion of the exemption undermines both the spirit and the authority of the parliamentary committee, added RSS. Some even demanded moral responsibility from the committee’s leadership, arguing that such manipulation compromises the credibility of the legislative process.
Describing the development as a case of ‘fraud and conspiracy’, the lawmakers called for urgent corrective action and a thorough inquiry to identify those responsible.
The bill has now been forwarded to the National Assembly with a message, and the committee has emphasized the importance of passing the law in a form that aligns with the principles of administrative federalism and good governance.
