UML proposes amendment in National Assembly to remove the cooling‑off period

Kathmandu – The ruling party, CPN (UML), has submitted an amendment in the National Assembly regarding the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2080, proposing that the “cooling-off period” should not be included.

On behalf of UML, chief spokesperson Gopal Bhattarai, along with Indiradevi Gautam, Rukmini Koirala, and Sumitra Bisi, jointly proposed the amendment to remove the cooling-off clause. Bhattarai stated that there is no need to include a cooling-off period in the civil service bill. He said, “Yes, we have submitted an amendment to remove the cooling-off period.”

The bill, which had passed the House of Representatives and moved to the National Assembly, was already under scrutiny due to issues related to the cooling-off provision. The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee had formally requested its correction. Amid that investigation, UML has now tabled a proposal in the Upper House to exclude the cooling-off clause.

The committee had recommended that officials who retire or resign must wait two years before being eligible for any government or constitutional appointment. During report drafting, however, a loophole-like provision appeared, leading to concerns. Parliament subsequently formed a seven-member panel to probe this inconsistency.