Congress Won’t Compromise on Cooling-Off Period in Civil Service Bill: Dr. Mahat

Nepali Congress spokesperson Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat has reaffirmed the party’s firm stance on retaining the two-year cooling-off period in the Federal Civil Service Bill, asserting that the party cannot compromise on a provision that was unanimously passed by a parliamentary committee.

Speaking at a program in Kathmandu commemorating BP Koirala Memorial Day, Dr. Mahat emphasized that the State Affairs Committee had forwarded the bill to the House of Representatives with the two-year provision intact. However, the lower house later passed the bill after removing that clause.

With discrepancies emerging between the committee’s version and the passed bill, a parliamentary investigation committee has been formed to examine the matter. Meanwhile, in the National Assembly, CPN-UML lawmakers have submitted an amendment to remove the cooling-off period altogether.

Congress, however, is standing its ground. Dr. Mahat declared that unilateral decisions, like what was attempted in this and other bills such as the Land Bill, are unacceptable to the party. He reiterated that the cooling-off period must be implemented, reflecting the consensus achieved in the committee.

He further criticized the growing public acceptance of false narratives, warning that those who continuously lie are being taken as the truth-bearers in society.