Diagreement in sub-panel on integration of civil servants

Kathmandu, September 18

The meeting of a sub-committee of the State Affairs Committee of the Parliament today could not agree on an appropriate way of integrating civil employees in provinces and local levels.

According to Committee member Chitra Bahadur KC, the sub-panel is discussing various options, such as increased facilities or fixing the tenure of employees willing to be transferred into the local levels. “Most civil servants show reluctance in taking up provincial and local level offices, however, the statute cannot be fully executed, unless, well trained and experienced employees take up offices in the local levels and provinces,” he said.

Lawmaker KC also said the sub-committee was trying to find a way by which employees would readily agree to serve in the local and provincial levels. “The way could be adding more facilities,” he added.

Some of the sub-panel members also proposed sending employees to the local levels on deputation rather than transferring them to the respective levels. “But this may not be feasible as civil servants’ tend to run around the centre,” he said.

KC also disliked the idea of default promotion of the civil servant to a higher rank. He mulled over the huge financial burden on the government arising from default one rank promotion.

Rameshowr Phuyal, another member of the sub-panel, said sub-committee members agreed to a batch–wise promotion system. “We are yet to discuss this in detail,” he said.

The sub-committee agreed on the golden handshake provision for employees serving 20 years or more and employees who had reached 50 years of age. “This could open the door for fresh graduates in the civil service”, he said.

He also informed that the sub-panel is likely to finalise the bill in the next meeting.