Cabinet finalizes ministerial code of conduct

KATHMANDU, Oct 10: The newly introduced code of conduct for cabinet members has made it binding on the prime minister and other ministers to hand over to the state any additional income or gifts they receive during foreign trips.

According to provisions enshrined in the new code of conduct, which was endorsed in principal by Monday´s cabinet meeting, the prime minister and other ministers have to submit such incomes and gifts to the state immediately upon their return to the country. [break]

"The cabinet meeting endorsed our code of conduct," said Culture Minister Gopal Kirati, adding, "It has tightened the activities we are to conduct in our capacity as ministers."

As per the provisions, ministers are strictly prohibited from providing any kind of facilities to family members, relatives or near and dear ones, by virtue of their being members of the cabinet.

"No minister shall provide any facility to his/her family members," reads the provision, adding, "The state also should not provide any facilities to ministers´ family members or relatives."

Now onwards, ministers are required to drastically cut down their foreign and domestic trips.

"Ministers have to seek prior consent from the prime minister before he/she decides to go abroad or travel within the country," reads the provision, adding, "Ministers are strictly disallowed from misusing state coffers for trips they make solely for party activities."

Provisions incorporated in the code of conduct state that a minister will automatically lose his/her ministerial position immediately after being recalled from the cabinet by the respective party.

The code has also prohibited ministers from divulging to journalists any disputes taking place at cabinet meetings. "Ministers shouldn´t make public any differences or disputes taking place during cabinet meetings," reads the provision.

Similarly, the government will sack any minister if he/she is found to have been involved in any corrupt activity or in protecting and sheltering those involved in malpractices.

As per the provisions, deployment of security personnel in any part of the country will be made on the basis of consensus among the ruling coalition. "The government can deploy security forces only after consulting the ruling parties," reads the provision.

Ministers must be dedicated to the nation and the people and must make their property public immediately after amusing their posts, says the code.