KATHMANDU, Sept 28: The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has failed to continue discussions on the new Federal Civil Service Bill, 2024 which aims to make provisions regarding the formation, operation, and conditions of service for the civil service.

The discussion on this bill, which started briefly on September 5 during a parliamentary session, has since come to a halt and has not progressed further. The Federal Civil Service Bill, which was registered in the previous session of parliament in 2019, remained stuck in the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee for an extended period. The bill was eventually submitted to the full assembly in July 2020 but could not be passed before Parliament was dissolved. After the reconstituted parliament also failed to pass the bill, the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government decided to withdraw it in October 2021 ahead of the 2022 elections.

Three years after withdrawing the bill previously registered in February 2019, the government registered the new bill in Parliament on March 4, 2024. On May 28, the bill was sent to the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of Parliament. However, with the budget session of Parliament ending on September 16, the bill could not be passed. Despite being in the committee for three months, discussions on the bill did not gain momentum, and the committee has not shown any urgency to pass it.

The government's lack of initiative to push the bill seems to have influenced the committee, which has also not taken steps to move it forward. Committee members did not actively push for the bill's progress, and there have been 1,583 amendments proposed by MPs.

The committee has stated that the delay in discussions is due to unresolved political issues and the need for consultations with the trade union. As a result, the committee has prioritized the bill to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act 2059 instead. 

Although the committee claims it is prepared to discuss the Federal Civil Service Bill and advance it alongside other bills, progress has yet to be made. Committee Chairman Ramhari Khatiwada said that due to the large number of amendments, the bill will only move forward after discussions with political parties. He mentioned that the work on the bill will resume after Dashain and Tihar.

The committee is currently handling several important bills, including the Construction Materials (Administration and Regulation) Bill, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (Third Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption (First Amendment) Bill. Chairman Khatiwada said that the committee aims to finalize the amendment bills related to the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (Third Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption (First Amendment) Bill, before Dashain.

The Federal Civil Service Bill is crucial for the implementation of federalism, and delays could hinder the progress of administrative federalism. Other important bills are also stalled in various committees of the House of Representatives, such as the Water Resources Bill, the Electricity Bill, and the Infrastructure Development Bill.

In the Finance Committee, the Banking and Financial Institutions (First Amendment) Bill, the Customs Bill, and the Banking Offenses and Punishment Bill are awaiting discussion. Similarly, the School Education Bill, the Nepal University Bill, and the Public Service Broadcasting Bill are in the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee.

In the Law Committee, bills to amend Some Nepal Acts are pending, while the E-Commerce Bill is in the Industry, Commerce, Labour and Consumer Welfare Committee. Likewise, the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers, and Procedures) (First Amendment) Bill has already been tabled in Parliament, awaiting only final approval.

 
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