KATHMANDU, Dec 29: Main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) leader Gagan Thapa has demanded withdrawal of the Civil Servants Adjustment Ordinance stating that it contains discriminatory provisions for civil servants enrolled under the same services.
Speaking at the special hour of parliament, Thapa also criticized the government for using backdoor to introduce the adjustment law, instead of amending the existing laws. “If the government had implemented the Civil Servants Adjustment Act, which was formulated during NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba’s premiership, the government would not have to face difficulties in arranging human resources at the provincial and local levels,” Thapa said. “But the government took a wrong direction by issuing an ordinance instead of implementing the existing laws.”
The government had issued an ordinance earlier this month stating that existing Civil Servants Adjustment Act endorsed from parliament last year didn’t address adjustment issues. “I strongly demand that the government withdraw the ordinance and bring the law through regular parliamentary process,” said Thapa.
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He said that though civil servants are obliged to work wherever they are deputed, the government should be open about the change of service by the civil servants.
“The ordinance has discriminated against the civil servants enrolled in the same service on the same day, because one working under the federal government can compete for chief secretary in future but another transferred to the provincial or local level cannot compete for the post,” said Thapa.
Thapa chided the government for dilly-dallying on formulating civil service-related acts including provincial public service commission and other laws. He further said that the opposition party is ever ready to cooperate with the government to resolve the problems of civil servants.
NC leader Thapa also suggested to Prime Minister KP Oli to stop making promises and focus on fulfilling past promises.
Recalling the speech of the ruling NCP chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who had blamed the democratic system of government for the sluggish development work, Thapa suggested to Dahal not to blame the system for the poor delivery of the government.
NC chief whip Bal Krishna Khand drew the attention of Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara after the latter turned off the microphones amid Thapa’s speech prior to three minutes time allotted to him ended. “The microphone has been turned off prior to the time allotted to him (Thapa) ended. Is the watch not working?” questioned Khand. In response Mahara first reiterated that Thapa was given four-and-a-half minute’s time but later assured that he would look into the time issue.
