Key Takeaways:

• Bars appointment of immediate family members or close relatives
• Candidates must hold at least a bachelor's degree; preference for expertise, research, tech skills, and inclusivity
• Open competitive recruitment with public vacancy announcements required
• Parliamentary committee must approve appointments
• Zero tolerance for financial irregularities; salaries deposited directly to secretaries' bank accounts
• Violations such as nepotism or misuse of funds invite disciplinary action

KATHMANDU, JULY 24 The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has issued an internal directive outlining transparent and merit-based procedures for the appointment and management of personal secretaries by its federal lawmakers, following the government's decision to allow each Member of Parliament to appoint one personal secretary at the level of a Section Officer. The directive, issued by RSP General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, aims to ensure accountability and prudent use of public funds in appointing personal secretaries, whose salaries are financed by the state. Under the new rules, lawmakers are barred from appointing immediate family members or close relatives. Candidates must possess at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification prescribed by the Federal Parliament Secretariat. Preference will be given to applicants with expertise, research skills, technological competence and commitment to party values, while encouraging the inclusion of women and members of marginalised communities. Appointments must be made through an open and competitive process, including public vacancy announcements, with final approval required from the party's parliamentary committee. The directive prohibits appointments of individuals holding full-time jobs elsewhere or receiving dual financial benefits, and requires candidates to be free from conflicts of interest. The RSP has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against financial irregularities, banning lawmakers from deducting or misusing any portion of a secretary's salary. Salaries must be deposited directly into the secretary's bank account. Lawmakers are instructed to maintain records, evaluate performance, and submit periodic reports, while secretaries must uphold confidentiality regarding parliamentary proceedings and party affairs. Violations such as nepotism, fictitious appointments or misuse of funds will invite disciplinary action through the party's central disciplinary committee. Lawmakers may dismiss secretaries at any time for unsatisfactory performance, misconduct or breach of confidentiality. To standardise recruitment, the RSP parliamentary party will prepare a common advertisement template for vacancy announcements, which all lawmakers will be required to use.