Kathmandu, October 1
The government has registered the Federal Civil Service Bill in Parliament, proposing several changes to the existing structure and provisions governing the civil service.
The bill has generated significant discussion among civil servants, particularly because it introduces a provision allowing employees who have reached the age of 55 or completed 30 years of service to take voluntary retirement under certain conditions.
The major provisions of the Civil Service Bill are as follows
1. Shift from rank-based to level-based system
The existing rank-based system in the civil service would be replaced with a level-based system, ranging from 14th level for officers to first level for assistants.
2. Mandatory retirement at 60
The Civil Service Bill proposes setting the mandatory retirement age for civil servants at 60.
3. 11 services and clustering
There will be 11 services under the federal civil service. These services would be grouped into six major clusters for specialisation.
4. New framework for inclusive recruitment
Of the positions filled through open competitive examinations, 49 per cent would be reserved for inclusive recruitment.
This 49 per cent would be treated as 100 per cent for the purpose of allocation. Half of the reserved positions would be contested only among women, while the remaining half would be contested separately among other targeted groups.
5. Tenure for senior officials
The tenure of gazetted special-class officers at the 14th level would be two years, while the tenure of 13th-level officers would be three years.
6. Performance agreements and accountability
Chief secretaries, secretaries, departmental heads and office chiefs would be required to enter into annual performance agreements. Their performance would be evaluated objectively on that basis.
7. Civil Service Board
The Civil Service Bill proposes establishing a Civil Service Board chaired by the chief secretary to make transfers, postings and career development more transparent, predictable and merit-based.
8. Level promotion under certain conditions
Employees who have completed the prescribed minimum service period of seven years and received excellent performance evaluation scores in the previous three years would be eligible for promotion by one level.
9. Contributory pension system
A contributory pension system would apply to newly appointed civil servants.
10. Restrictions after retirement
Officials at the special or first class level would be barred from being appointed to constitutional, diplomatic or other government positions for two years after retirement or resignation.
11. Voluntary retirement
Employees who have completed at least 20 years of service to qualify for a pension and have either reached the age of 55 or completed 30 years of service would be allowed to apply for voluntary retirement at any time.
12. Additional service period for pension calculation
Employees taking voluntary retirement after reaching the age of 55 or completing 30 years of service would be allowed to add the remaining period before reaching the mandatory retirement age to their service period, within a specified limit.
The provision would allow an additional five to seven years of service to be counted, subject to the prescribed conditions, increasing the amount of pension or gratuity payable.
13. Government approval required
The government or concerned authority would have the power to approve or reject applications for voluntary retirement submitted by employees who have reached the age of 55 or completed 30 years of service.
The decision would take into account service requirements, the nature of the employee’s position and workforce management needs.
14. Lump-sum payment of accumulated benefits
Employees retiring after completing 30 years of service or reaching the age of 55 would receive, in a lump sum and according to prevailing law, their accumulated benefits, including unused sick leave and home leave, medical expenses and other applicable benefits.
