Kathmandu, June 21

State Affairs Committee of the Legislature Parliament today sought detailed report of recent haphazard transfer and deputation of government staffers from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development within seven days.

Following complaints against the two ministries for making transfers and deputations in violation of rules, the SAC today summoned Minister for Home, Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development and Minister for General Administration to discuss the issue.

Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and State Minister for MoFALD Kunti Kumari Shahi tried to defend their transfers. As their answers did not satisfy the panel members, the panel sought detailed report on how many staffers were transferred and deputed on what basis.

The SAC directed the MoHA and MoFALD to provide the panel a detailed report of recent transfers and deputations, said the panel’s chairman Dil Bahadur Gharti. Also, the SAC instructed MoHA, MoFALD and Ministry of General Administration to suggest provisions necessary for improvement within seven days for amendment of the existing Civil Service Act and its regulations within seven days.

The MoHA had transferred chief district officers of 15 districts and 51 officers two weeks ago. MoFALD had also transferred 21 local development officers and 22 other officers. The transfers drew controversy for violating the existing rules and for not taking permission from the Ministry of General Administration.

Minister for General Administration Rekha Sharma said that the ministry was providing permission for transfers and deputations only when these could be justified.

Some members of the SAC including Ishwori Neupane, Sita Gurung and Arjun Prasad Joshi criticised the government for not following rules while making transfers and deputing staffers. Joshi said some transfers had been made on the basis of bribe.