Ramhari Khatiwada Seeks National Assembly Support on Cooling-Off Period Amendment

Kathmandu – Ramhari Khatiwada, Chairperson of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives, has appealed to the National Assembly for support regarding the cooling-off period provision. Khatiwada expressed serious concerns over the amendments made to the bill passed by the House of Representatives, which differ from the version approved by his committee.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Khatiwada highlighted that the fundamental intent of the cooling-off period clause in the Federal Civil Service Bill has been altered in a way that is unacceptable and legally flawed. He emphasized the need to review this matter again in the upcoming parliamentary discussions and to restore the original provisions approved by the committee.

Khatiwada clarified that the committee had unanimously passed a provision, after extensive consultations, which bars any civil servant or government employee who has resigned or retired from holding any constitutional or government appointment until two years have passed since their retirement date. However, he pointed out that unnecessary changes were made to this provision in the version passed by the House of Representatives.