Kathmandu, July 26

Lawmakers representing ruling and opposition parties have sought stringent action against civil servants who consume alcohol during office hours, stating presence of tipsy officials in government offices is hitting service delivery and creating problems for service seekers.

Lawmakers expressed these views during clause-wise discussion of the Federal Civil Servants Bill in the parliamentary State Affairs and Good Governance Committee today. The bill was registered by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

The existing provision in the bill states that employees who come to office after consuming liquor or those who consume liquor during office hours will be given a warning. But lawmakers said that was not adequate.

“Employees who are found drinking alcohol during office hours must be subject to special punishment,” said Nepali Congress lawmaker Devendra Raj Kandel. Other NC and ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) lawmakers expressed similar views.

Lawmakers have recommended two types of punishment based on severity of the offence. First is sacking officials who come to office after consuming alcohol or drink alcohol during office hours, but making them eligible for government jobs in the future. Second is sacking such officials and barring them from taking up any government position in the future.

“You cannot be lenient on civil servants who drink alcohol during office hours,” said ruling NCP lawmaker Yasoda Subedi Gurung. “Such officials should be subject to severe punishment.”

The practice of consuming alcohol during office hours is common in many government offices outside Kathmandu valley. But public has encountered tipsy government officials even in the valley.

This is affecting service delivery and creating problems for people who visit government offices, according to NCP lawmaker Jhapat Rawal.

“This is not in the interest of general public,” said Rawal, adding, “Those officials must face stringent action.”

Minister of Federal Affairs and General Administration Lal Babu Pandit said the provisions in the bill were aimed at maintaining discipline in the civil service. “Employees responsible for wrongdoing should be punished,” he said.