Kathmandu, June 14

The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to take stern action against employees who remain absent without approval for more than 60 days.

In a letter issued by the ministry to all its subordinate offices, it has directed the employees to inform the concerned office or the ministry in advance before taking such leave. It said that employees under Nepal Health Services and civil servants may be dismissed from their jobs if they remained absent for more than 60 days without approval of the ministry. Such a dismissal would mean that they would no longer be eligible for government jobs in future.

It has also informed the concerned departments to take action against such employees. It has also warned that if any head of office fails to take action against such employees, they too would be liable to punishment as per Civil Service Act and Nepal Health Service Act. The ministry took the move after it received complaints of employee absenteeism in government offices.