KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs has submitted a bill to amend and unify the Nepal Police Act and the Armed Police Force Act to the Federal Parliament Secretariat.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak registered the bill on Tuesday after securing approval from the Council of Ministers.
The proposed bill aims to modernize police laws, enhance peace and security, ensure good governance, and make the police forces more professional, accountable, and gender-sensitive.
It also incorporates Supreme Court directives on police service conditions and seeks to align police operations with Nepal’s Constitution, democracy, and human rights principles.
The bill introduces several key provisions, including the removal of the 30-year service limit for Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force.
It revises the retirement policy by setting the service duration at 16 years for office assistants and police constables, while assistant constables to sub-inspectors will retire after 18 years.
The age limit for the Inspector General of Police has been set at 60 years with a tenure of three years, while the Additional Inspector General of Police will retire at 59 years with the same tenure period.
The bill proposes structural and administrative reforms by focusing on the specialization of police services and introducing new welfare provisions for police personnel. It seeks to strengthen police operations at the provincial level in line with Nepal’s federal system while adopting international best practices to improve effectiveness.
The roles and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police have been defined more clearly, including aspects related to appointments, duties, and promotions.
For the Armed Police Force, the bill enhances its role in disaster management, border security, and crime control while ensuring its alignment with the Constitution and human rights laws.
Joint Secretary Bharatmani Rijal from the Law Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed confidence that the bill will strengthen both police forces and improve their operational efficiency.
Home Minister Lekhak stated that the bill replaces outdated provisions from the Police Act, 1955, and the Armed Police Act, 2001, making law enforcement more effective and improving service delivery.
He added that if the bill is passed, it will provide a clear legal framework for Nepal’s policing system, ensuring that the police organizations function more efficiently and in accordance with constitutional principles.
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