Civil service: fresh way ahead!

That Nepal Federal Service Bill has received parliamentary endorsement should encourage all attached to the Service and users of what is generally dignified as the permanent government of the country. All stakeholders had felt, in its absence for some eight years, a serious gap in implementation of federalism. The complicated journey it took prior to final approval is by itself quite interesting, it reveals the real mindset of the human resources engaged in it and those who are supposed to lead them through various top political positions. The two year-cooling off period that the Bill has finally embraced is a way not to allow civil servants and politicos develop ill-intentioned nexus. It ensures integrity at both political and official levels. Although bureaucrats might find in it some sort of discouragement in short period, it will be in the interest of good governance in the country in the long run. The trend to retire one day and join another government-post the next day was not productive for the society and national administration. It only served the interest of those who could manipulate and grab the opportunity. Senior civil servants should take it positively and as contribution to the cause of social responsibility and rest for two years after retirement allowing fresh generation-service-holders to enjoy promotion. As the bill takes the shape of a law completing its due course, the country will have a framework of administration that can drive the seven provinces and local governments towards unified goal of serving the people and delivering them goods and services as per their need and the spirit of the constitution. It will inspire 9 types of other government services as well. Several rights enshrined in the constitution are not still accessible to people because of confusion in working between political decision makers and civilian work force. Politicisation of civil service particularly through seen and unseen interference in appointment, transfer, and promotion has been a problem in the country. The new federal bill is expected to bring about some effective break in it. As for the career development prospects for civil servants the bill opens door for values such as merit, experience and performance; it has not left out the principle of diversity and inclusiveness in civil service. Now is the time for all those concerned to dedicate themselves to implementation of the bill for creating enabling environment for civil servants to act, perform and show the result in a time-cost-bound manner. Efficiency in civil administration and justice for all stakeholders from the service should be made achievable in all areas of the country – remote or near, developed or underdeveloped.