Kathmandu, September 24
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) General Secretary and lawmaker Bipin Acharya has called on the government to establish an autonomous board to oversee the transfer and promotion of civil servants through a predictable, rules-based system.
Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Acharya said pressure over the transfer and promotion of government employees was one of the biggest pressures he had faced since entering politics.
He said even people who otherwise speak about good governance and transparency approach him seeking transfers and promotions based on personal connections and influence.
“The biggest pressure I face after entering politics is over transfers and promotions,” Acharya said. “Even friends and relatives who talk about good governance and transparency come to me seeking nepotism and favouritism for transfers and promotions.”
He said some people even question his political standing when he is unable to arrange a transfer.
Acharya said he has been telling people that transfers and promotions under the government should be carried out according to established procedures and rules, rather than through personal recommendations.
He also referred to point eight of the RSP’s election manifesto, which proposes an autonomous transfer board to establish a predictable, procedure-based system for civil servant transfers. The party’s manifesto includes the formation of such a board as part of its proposed civil service reforms.
“I have been telling people that there will be no recommendations and that transfers and promotions will be carried out according to rules and procedures,” Acharya said.
He urged the government to form the proposed board soon.
“If this board is not formed, I fear that I may not receive tika and blessings from my own relatives this Dashain. Instead, I may receive curses for not getting their work done,” he said, making a humorous reference to the pressure he faces.
Acharya was elected to the House of Representatives from Dang-2 in the March 5 general election and is currently a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
