KATHMANDU, MAY 6 The government has scrapped provisions allowing trade unions in the civil service and directed all such bodies to return government property in their possession. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration said Section 53 of the Civil Service Act, 2049, has been repealed through an ordinance amending several Nepal Acts, effectively ending the existence of trade unions within the civil service. Following the legal change, all ministries, departments, commissions and government agencies have been instructed to shut down trade union offices and immediately return assets including buildings, vehicles and other facilities used by them. The ministry has also directed civil servants previously affiliated with such unions to resume their assigned duties, with offices asked to manage their responsibilities accordingly.