Himal Press 
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KATHMANDU: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has decided to formally request the National Assembly to correct ‘flaws’ related to the cooling-off period provision for government employees in the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2025.
Committee Chairperson Ramhari Khatiwada told journalists after the meeting on Wednesday that the committee decided to request the upper house to amend Clause 82 of the committee’s report, stating that an additional sub-clause was inserted during parliamentary proceedings in a way that undermined the intent and provisions of Sub-clause 4 of the bill.
“Clause 82 Sub-clause 4 of the Federal Civil Service (Formation, Operation and Terms of Service) Bill, 2023, stipulates that civil servants and other government employees who have resigned or retired shall not be eligible for any constitutional or government appointment until two years have passed from the date of their resignation or retirement. This provision was included in the committee’s report and passed accordingly. However, an additional sub-clause was added after Sub-clause 4 in a manner that effectively nullifies the intent of Sub-clause 4. The insertion of this new sub-clause undermines the provision and spirit of sub-clause 4 as adopted by the committee,” the committee said in its request. “Therefore, the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee has decided to sincerely request that the National Assembly arrange for a necessary amendment to Clause 43 of the committee’s report to reflect the original intent of the committee regarding the ‘cooling-off period’ provision in the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2025.”
The committee had passed the Bill with a provision that made government employees ineligible for any government appointments within two years of their retirement or resignation. However, the bill passed by the House of Representatives included an additional sub-clause stating that government employees are ineligible for appointments other than constitutional, diplomatic and other appointments made by the government within two years of their retirement or resignation.
