KATHMANDU: CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Rajendra Pandey on Thursday urged the government not to succumb to pressure from senior bureaucrats regarding the Civil Service Bill, particularly over the controversial provision of a “cooling-off period.”
Speaking at the House of Representatives, Pandey alleged that high-ranking civil servants had threatened to collectively resign if the government did not remove the cooling-off period clause from the proposed bill. Despite such pressure, he stressed, the government must stand firm and move ahead with the legislation.
“I have heard that recently, senior bureaucrats have been pressuring the honourable Prime Minister and threatening mass resignations to get the cooling-off period scrapped. This is unacceptable,” Pandey said. “Mr. Speaker, the government must not retreat. The bill should be tabled immediately.”
He argued that even if some secretaries resign, it would not hinder the bureaucracy, as other qualified officials are ready to take over. “
If 25 secretaries resign, joint secretaries will take their place. New people will get the opportunity,” Pandey said. “Policies should not be dictated by threats. We must not allow such intimidation to influence law-making.”
The proposed Civil Service Bill has drawn controversy over its cooling-off provision, which bars retiring bureaucrats from taking political or other public roles for a certain period. While some view it as a step toward good governance, senior officials have reportedly opposed it, citing it as unfair.
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