KATHMANDU: A proposal has been forwarded to address the demand of low-ranking officials in the Nepal Army.

The government has initiated the process for the amendment of the Army Service Rule, 2069 (Third Amendment) at the request of the Nepal Army.

The trend of quitting services without completing the tenure in the Nepal Army has gone up, of late. This trend has been rampant especially among the low ranking officials.

The proposal forwarded by the Ministry of Defense has now reached the cabinet. According to the proposal, the NA officials below the officer rank can take a voluntary retirement once the proposal is endorsed.

The 16-year tenure for pension has been proposed for followers and junior soldiers who joined the NA on May 11, 2003, and afterwards in the proposal.

As per the provision laid down in the previous NA Rule, non-commissioned officers have to work for 19 years and commissioned officers 20 years before taking voluntary retirement.