Kathmandu, Sept 3: The House of Representatives (HoR) has received the Federal Civil Service Bill, along with a formal amendment message from the National Assembly (NA), marking a significant step toward the implementation of administrative federalism in Nepal.
According to Eakram Giri, spokesperson for the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the lower house received the bill and the National Assembly’s proposed amendments earlier today. The bill had originally been tabled in the HoR and was forwarded to the National Assembly two months ago in line with constitutional provisions.
Key highlights of the Federal Civil Service Bill
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The bill outlines the framework for establishing a federal civil service system across Nepal.
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It proposes a structured approach to the transfer of civil servants between the federal, provincial, and local governments.
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The legislation includes key provisions on rank, level, and retirement age for civil servants.
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It sets a mandatory retirement age:
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58 years in the first year of implementation (current FY 2082/83 BS)
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59 years in the second year (2083/84 BS)
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60 years from the third year onward (2085/85 BS)
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Cooling off period provision approved
A major point of discussion—the controversial ‘cooling period’—has been addressed. This provision mandates a two-year gap before retired civil servants can be appointed to constitutional bodies. While this clause had previously been omitted, the National Assembly has now approved it based on recommendations from the State Affairs Committee of the HoR.
Next steps in parliamentary process
Now that the bill has returned to the HoR:
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Only the amended provisions will be deliberated upon.
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A proposal to consider the bill will be tabled in the lower house.
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The HoR may accept the amendments fully, partially, or reject them.
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Unless the Speaker decides otherwise, the discussion on amendments will begin 24 hours after the bill is tabled.
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If deemed necessary, a thorough debate on NA’s amendments may also take place in the House.
Legislative background and significance
The bill had undergone a detailed review by the Legislation Management Committee before being passed by the National Assembly. Its finalization is considered a milestone in Nepal’s transition to federal governance, providing a clear legal framework for managing civil servants across three levels of government.
In past legislative practices, recommendations from the National Assembly were generally accepted by the House, indicating that the bill may move forward with limited opposition. #nepal #house #civilservice
