KATHMANDU: The Public Service Commission on Monday submitted a concept note to Constituent Assembly chair advocating more powers in the new constitution in order to make Nepal’s bureaucracy independent, more professional and efficient.

In the concept notes, the PSC has sought power to conduct eligibility test for recruitment and promotion of teachers and administrative staff of government schools, government universities and corporations where the government holds more than 50 per cent shares.

In the federal set-up, the constitutional body seeks to act as a guardian body vis-a-vis provincial PSCs particularly in matters of principles. “We want to have the power to warn and suggest the provincial PSCs,” Chairman of PSC Umesh Prasad Mainali told THT. He said in democracy there should be strong bureaucracy to ensure effective delivery of service.

In the concept note, the PSC says it should have the power to override any agency that defies its instructions.

“Unless we have power to override other agencies that violate our major suggestions, we cannot introduce required change,” Mainali said.

The constitutional body also wants to have a separate mention about Public Service in the constitution whereby a pool of senior executives could be created who could serve both in the central and provincial government. “If we can have such a pool of joint secretaries and secretaries both the centre and states will benefit from their expertise,” Mainali said and added that the transfer of higher level government employees from centre to province and vice-versa will enhance their understanding and would also create loyalty for both the governments.

In the concept note, the PSC has also advocated for a separate accountability law. “Accountability law would end confusion in the event of two government offices issuing contradictory instructions to a subordinate office. Accountability law can serve guidelines to the government offices and employees who they should be loyal to,” Mainali said, adding, “The government employees are loyal to their immediate boss and their primary accountability is to the public.”

In the federal set-up, he added, executing court’s verdict should be the responsibility of all the employees whether they belong to the central or the provincial government.