KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 11

The government has prohibited share transactions during office hours after it was found that government employees were engaging in them instead of providing effective services to the public.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) initiated a probe following oral and written complaints, particularly concerning employees within Singha Durbar, the Central Government Secretariat Complex, who were conducting share transactions during office hours, neglecting their official duties.

On September 6, after its monitoring, the CIAA informed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers about the issue. In response to the CIAA's directive, the Prime Minister's Office has instructed all relevant authorities to halt TMS (Trading Management System) operations during office hours.

Official letters have also been sent to all ministries, commissions, secretariats, and the Chief Secretary, as well as to the Chief Ministers and Offices of the Council of Ministers of all seven provinces. The conclusion is that conducting private share market transactions during office hours is inappropriate.

The CIAA's letter further states, 'Ensure that TMS is not operated during office hours in all government and public offices, and implement a monitoring system using information technology to verify compliance.'