KATHMANDU: Opposition parties in the National Assembly remain firm on their demand to reserve 10 percent of joint-secretary positions for open competition under the Civil Service Bill.
During Friday’s meeting of the Legislative Management Committee, several lawmakers stressed that the provision is necessary to ensure opportunities for new entrants and to promote fair competition.
Members from the CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) raised the issue during clause-by-clause discussions. Lawmaker Padam Pariyar emphasized that while 90 percent of positions are filled internally, 10 percent must be open to ensure representation for women, Dalits, and other underrepresented groups.
Lawmaker Bishnu Devi Pudasaini also underscored that new candidates should not be excluded from open competition. Dr. Beduram Bhusal noted that since most joint-secretaries eventually rise to the secretary level, maintaining an open pathway for risk-taking and capable employees at the joint-secretary stage is essential.
Other lawmakers, including Krishna Bahadur Rokaya and Sumitra Bisi, argued that the bill should not restrict opportunities for lower-level employees and that open competition should extend beyond just the joint-secretary level.
However, under-secretary Man Bahadur Aryal from the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs reminded the committee that the House of Representatives had deliberately decided not to include open competition for joint-secretary positions. Committee Chairperson Tulsa Kumari Dahal added that no additional changes could be made to provisions already passed by the House.
Comment