Key reforms that the three ordinances will introduce

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to bring three ordinances aimed at expediting government operations and facilitating service delivery in a simpler and more efficient manner.

The cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar decided to recommend the President to issue three ordinances related to government service delivery, investment and land-related matters.

Before the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held discussions about the ordinance with President Ram Chandra Paudel. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Chaurasiya and Chief Secretary Ek Nath Dhakal accompanied PM Oli in the meeting.

Given below are some of the key reforms that the government is trying to make through the ordinances:

1. Allow Nepali IT companies to invest abroad, establish branch offices overseas and bring their earnings to Nepal.

2. Grant the Department of Revenue Investigation the authority to settle cases of revenue disputes and leakages up to Rs 30 million.

3. Simplify government operations so that the works of service seekers are completed within a week. Agencies or officials concerned responsible for the delay may face penalties.

4. Introduce legal provisions for using ‘Nagarik’ app to enhance service delivery.

5. Free visa for 10 years to those acquiring Non-resident Nepalis (NRN) citizenship.

6. Permit non-resident Nepalis with citizenship to establish companies in Nepal without requiring foreign investment permissions.

7. Raise mandatory retirement age for workers to 60 from 58.

8. Allow government-led settlements in certain legal cases, waiving penalties and fines if victims agree.

9. Include teachers in the Pension Fund.

10. Make national ID cards mandatory for social security benefits.

11. Amend appeal procedures in cases of penalties, reducing the initial deposit requirement to 15% of the total fine.

12. Facilitate company registration and simplify closure procedures, including penalty waivers for inactive companies seeking deregistration.

13. Allow service industries to operate in Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

14. Expedite resolution of disputes in government contracts via fast-track mediation.

15. Simplify procedures for selling employee shares in companies.