PSC Chair furnishes points for edits in civil service bill

Kathmandu, Jan 3: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives has been furnished points for edits in the civil service bill which is being discussed in the committee.     

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has underlined the need for ensuring continuous reform, terms of reference, performance, career development, and accountability of civil servants.     

PSC Chairman Madhav Prasad Regmi said the administrative interrelations among three tiers of government should judiciously address the career development and motivation of the civil servants. He proposed 90 percent fulfillment of vacant post via promotion while providing 10 percent for the lateral entry- to be mentioned in section 10 (1) of the proposed bill.     

He argued that the employees in the higher level (gazetted first and second class- joint secretary and under secretary) were involved in coaching, and reading at offices, thereby affecting office work. It needs change.     

The provision of inclusivity needs to be ensured only for a single time, while entry age bar be fixed at 32-year for open competition (men) and 35 for women and disabled ones for the same.     

According to Chair Regmi, it would be injustice to civil servants to have their age limit for retirement at 60 year if they are nearing the promotion time at present. So, the retirement age bar can be enforced phase-wise eg 58 year for the first fiscal year of the enforcement of Act, 59 for second fiscal year, and 60 since third fiscal year.     

He insisted on keeping intact the present arrangement of province secretary and chief administrative officer the civil servants of federal government because Nepal's federalism is based on the principles of cooperation, coexistence and coordination. Also the 'holding together' principle is adopted by Nepal's federalism that suits this provision in administrative set up.     

As the trade union is a political issue, sovereign parliament could take final decision on it. However, there must not be more than one trade union in civil service.     

Arguing that quick transfer of civil servants was taking a toll on institutional memory, Regmi suggested no transfer of secretary for a year, of joint secretary for two years, of under secretary for three years, of section officer for four years and of lower level employees for five years.     

Similarly, the service term of chief secretary is suggested for two year, of secretary for three years, of additional secretary for four years.     

Before the retirement of civil employees, one level promotion has been suggested.(RSS)