Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Kewal Prasad Bhandari, the secretary at the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security, has stepped down with a few days remaining in his five-year term. The cabinet meeting held on Thursday morning accepted his resignation.
Cabinet sources say Bhandari was lobbying to become the Chief Secretary. After receiving indications that he would not be made the Chief Secretary, he opted for voluntary retirement. He was due to go on compulsory retirement at the age of 58 from March 24. The decision to go for voluntary retirement, three days ahead of his compulsory retirement, will entitle him to service benefits of two years.
“The total service period of the civil servant, who has so retired voluntarily from service owing to the completion of 58 years of age, shall be set by adding such remaining period as required for him/her to complete sixty years of age,” Section 37 (3) of the Civil Service Act, 1993 states.
The provision applies only to those who joined the civil service before November 6, 1992.
As per the act, the decision to opt for voluntary retirement will increase Bhandari’s service period by around two years, entitling him to a higher pension.
