A controversy surrounding the “cooling-off period” provision in Nepal’s Federal Civil Service Bill has taken a new turn, prompting the House of Representatives to form a special parliamentary investigation committee. The decision follows widespread criticism over discrepancies between the bill’s initial draft and the version passed by the lower house, with allegations that key provisions were altered without due process.
The committee, officially named the Special Investigation Committee on the Error in the Report of the Federal Civil Service Bill, comprises members from Nepal’s major political parties, as well as representatives from smaller parties—signaling a multiparty consensus to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
The committee includes lawmakers Jeevan Pariyar and Sushila Thing from the Nepali Congress, Ishwari Gharti and Narayan Prasad Acharya from CPN-UML, Madhav Sapkota from CPN (Maoist Centre), Ganesh Parajuli from Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Roshan Karki from Rastriya Prajatantra Party. According to the Secretariat of Speaker Devraj Ghimire, the committee has been given a 21-day deadline to submit its report.
Concerns Over Cooling-Off Clause and Legislative Integrity
Prior to this, the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives had recommended that a clear provision regarding the cooling-off period be retained in the bill and urged the formation of an investigation committee to resolve the ensuing confusion. The Speaker subsequently formed the special committee based on that recommendation and following political consensus.
The “cooling-off period” provision originally included in the bill stipulated that civil servants who opt for voluntary retirement or resignation would not be eligible for appointment to constitutional bodies or diplomatic positions for at least two years. However, critics have pointed out that the final version of the bill passed by the House lacked sufficient clarity on this matter—raising serious concerns about potential procedural lapses in the drafting and approval process.
The newly formed investigation committee is now tasked with examining how the bill’s content changed during the legislative process, determining the transparency of those changes, and identifying any individuals involved in making unauthorized amendments. The findings are expected to play a critical role in safeguarding the credibility of the legislation and ensuring procedural integrity within Nepal’s parliamentary system.
