KATHMANDU: The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has reinstated the provision allowing federal lawmakers to appoint personal secretaries, reversing a decision made by the former interim government.
A Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday approved an amendment to the Schedule of the Remuneration and Facilities of Office-Bearers and Members of the Federal Parliament Act, 2016, paving the way for members of the Federal Parliament to once again appoint personal secretaries.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam confirmed that federal lawmakers will now be entitled to appoint personal secretaries under the revised provision.
The facility had been scrapped on September 21, 2025. The then interim government led by Sushila Karki, which introduced a series of cost-cutting measures following public pressure and the Gen-Z movement.
Earlier, on April 13, the Federal Parliament Secretariat Operation and Management Committee recommended reinstating the provision after setting eligibility criteria for personal secretaries.
Based on the recommendation, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs submitted the amendment proposal to the Cabinet, which endorsed it on Tuesday after months of consideration.
Before the provision was abolished, federal lawmakers were allowed to appoint a personal secretary with benefits equivalent to those of a section officer. The same arrangement has now been restored under the amended law.
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