The government is under mounting pressure to halt its efforts to introduce a law granting lifelong facilities to former VVIPs.
While the government has been preparing a legal framework to provide benefits to former presidents, prime ministers, speakers, and other distinguished officials, top leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress have strongly opposed the move.
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has called for an end to the practice of allocating benefits and funds to former VVIPs based solely on Cabinet decisions. Speaking at an event in Panchthar district on Saturday, Thapa emphasized that instead of distributing state funds, the law should prevent such expenditures. He urged the government to be transparent about its plans regarding these benefits.
According to Home Ministry sources, the government has been providing security, housing, and secretariat facilities to former VVIPs and ex-King Gyanendra Shah without a legal framework. In 2068 BS, the Supreme Court ruled that such benefits should only be granted through legislation. However, successive governments have continued the practice without enacting a law.
On December 24, the Cabinet granted in-principle approval to draft a bill regulating facilities for former high-ranking officials, following a proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, the move has sparked widespread opposition. Critics argue that at a time when Nepal’s economy is struggling and thousands of citizens are migrating abroad for work, the government should not prioritize lifelong benefits for former officials.
Thapa stated that if the government genuinely aimed to curb the misuse of state funds, it should have made its intentions clear.
"The government should explicitly state that it will introduce a law to provide only the minimum necessary facilities to former presidents, prime ministers, ministers, army chiefs, and speakers," he said. "Beyond that, unnecessary financial burdens on the national treasury must be stopped. The long-standing practice of allocating funds arbitrarily through Cabinet decisions should end."
Thapa also called on local and provincial governments to enact laws preventing public funds from being used to support former office bearers.
Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal criticized the proposed law, saying it lacked justification. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Socialist Front in Lalitpur on Saturday, Dahal stated that neither political parties nor Parliament had discussed the matter.
"We have questioned within our party why this proposal is being pushed forward at this time. It is not an urgent issue," Dahal said.
He further noted that while reports suggest the government is moving to legalize lifelong benefits for former officials, there has been no consultation with opposition parties.
"There has been no discussion among political parties or in Parliament regarding what benefits should be provided to former high-ranking officials," he added.
However, Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh defended the government’s approach. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists in Tansen on Saturday, Singh explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs had proposed the law following a court directive.
"The Supreme Court had instructed the government to enact a law regulating these benefits. The Ministry of Home Affairs has only sought theoretical approval for the draft proposal in the Cabinet," Singh said. "Beyond that, no further steps have been taken."
