Kathmandu: A dispute has flared after Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Bhagwati Neupane pushed to amend the civil service bill so that Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal and others nearing retirement could serve one more year.
The National Assembly’s Legislative Committee had already endorsed the House of Representatives’ provision under Clause 58 of the bill, which mandated retirement at 58 in the first year of implementation, 59 in the second year, and 60 gradually later. Minister Neupane instead proposed that retirement age be fixed at 59 from the very first year, which would extend Aryal’s tenure when he is due to retire this December.
In Saturday’s meeting, Neupane insisted her request was only a “technical correction” and made a “humble request” to the committee. Lawmakers, however, reacted sharply, accusing the minister of tailoring the law for individuals. Ruling Nepali Congress members themselves expressed unease, while opposition parties Maoist Centre, Unified Socialist, and Janata Samajbadi Party flatly rejected the move, saying decisions already passed could not be reversed for personal benefit.
Committee members warned the minister’s stance undermined legislative integrity. Congress whip Krishna Bahadur Rokaya questioned why the ministry had not raised the matter earlier, saying its silence created suspicion. Unified Socialist MP Beduram Bhusal argued that prolonging a few officials’ tenure would block opportunities for new entrants. Maoist MPs Tara Man Swar and Ganga Belbase accused the ministry of interfering in lawmaking and stressed that rules should not change to favor individuals.
Still, some MPs, including nominated lawmaker Anjan Shakya and Congress’s Anand Dhungana, sided with Neupane. UML chief whip Gopal Bhattarai also suggested fixing 59 from the first year. Committee chairperson Tulsakumari Dahal initially leaned toward compromise but later joined lawmakers in opposing person-specific amendments.
Neupane denied acting for Aryal alone, claiming the proposal was not individual-centered but a correction to ensure fairness. Secretary Rabilal Panth noted that employees’ concerns about serving longer were natural but acknowledged the issue had been mishandled in presentation.
The dispute remains unresolved, with MPs and the minister holding firm to their opposing positions.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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