KATHMANDU: The ruling parties—CPN-UML and Nepali Congress—remain divided over the proposed “cooling period” provision in the Federal Civil Service Bill, delaying finalization of the long-pending legislation.
While the CPN-UML supports a one-year cooling-off period after retirement before former civil servants can receive a new appointment, the Nepali Congress insists on keeping it at two years.
The disagreement has prompted the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, led by the Congress, to seek guidance from top party leaders.
The main opposition, CPN-Maoist Center, also backs a two-year period, further isolating UML’s stance.
In a committee meeting on Sunday, Congress MP Hridayram Thani warned against external pressure in shaping the bill, saying, “Let’s make the cooling period mandatory for two years.”
UML’s Padam Giri argued for one year, while Maoist MP Hitraj Pandey called for a strict two-year gap, warning that weakening the provision would not serve national interest.
Congress MP Ishwori Devi Neupane noted that while consensus has been reached on many aspects of the bill, key differences remain on the cooling period and the retirement age.
There is broad agreement on setting the retirement age at 60—up from the current 58—but debate continues on whether to enforce it immediately or gradually.
Sources say employee lobbying has played a significant role in stalling the bill, with retired and soon-to-retire civil servants pushing for favorable provisions.
Under discussion since March 4, 2024, the bill was forwarded to the committee for detailed review in May 2024. Though it has remained stuck for nearly a year, lawmakers now believe it could move forward soon as most clauses have been settled.
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