Govt working on pension plan for constables

Kathmandu, Oct. 21: The Ministry of Home Affairs has begun preparations to implement the provision of the 16-year pension for constables and senior head constables in Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal (APF) soon.

Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand hinted at this at a programme organised to mark the 67th Nepal Police Day on October 17.  

In his speech, Minister Khand said that the government was positive to maintain the pension period of 16 years for constables in the two security bodies in police, reducing it from the existing 20 years. 

“The government is discussing with the Inspector Generals of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to decide on the matter to encourage the police constables and for their further career development,” said Minister Khand.

If the decision gets implemented, the constables can work enthusiastically in the organisation for a certain period of time and remain energetic for the rest of the time to work in other areas, the government believes. 

At present, constables in Nepal Police and APF get pension only after 20 years of service as per the Nepal Police Rules 2014. So far amendment to the rules has been made nine times. 

Deputy Inspector General and Spokesperson for the Nepal Police Tek Prasad Rai said that 16 years of pension provision is the most demanded issue in Nepal Police. “As the government is also positive to amend the existing Nepal Police Regulation to implement the new provision, Nepal Police is also positive to the planning of the government,” said DIG Rai. 

The contribution of the highest number of constable manpower remains important to run the organisation and maintain peace and order in society, but for a few years now, they have been demanding the pension period be reduced to 16 years, he said. 

“This is not the wish or interest of the Headquarters, but has been mostly demanded by the constables themselves,” he said, adding that to prepare one constable, the state has to spend up to Rs. 700,000 by the time s/he completes his/her 16-month training,” DIG Rai said. 

The present 20-year pension period has been in practice in Nepal Police since April 8, 2004, according to DIG Rai. 

Joint Secretary and Spokesperson for the Home Ministry Fanindra Mani Pokharel said that the consultations among the senior police officers have been going on in this regard and both the security bodies and the government are positive on this issue. The Home Ministry need to amend the Police Rules 2014 and those of APF only after seeking agreement from the Ministries of Law and Finance, Pokharel said.  

In the Nepali Army, the 16-year pension period has been in implementation since January 13, 2021. That decision was taken during the term of former CoAS Purna Chandra Thapa.

Police constable is the junior most and without any rank position in the Nepal Police and the APF. After police constable post, there are three higher constable posts: Assistant Head Constable, Head Constable and Senior Head Constable. 

Of the total 75,257 forces, including 8,393 female police, the number of constables and head constables is 62,042, which is 78 per cent of the total forces. Of the total number, 4,284 vacancies are yet to be filled.