Kathmandu: The government has decided not to provide offices for officials of ministerial personal secretariats as part of its move to cut public spending.
The decision was made at the Cabinet meeting of the interim government on September 21 and communicated to all agencies by the Ministry of Finance on September 23. The directive also restricts the use of government vehicles and foreign trips at state expense for staff of such secretariats.
“The ministries will not provide office space for the personal secretariats of ministers of the Government of Nepal, provincial governments, or other political appointees,” reads the Finance Ministry circular issued on the Cabinet’s decision. “Employees of such secretariats will not be entitled to vehicles, foreign travel, or other material facilities.”
The government has also decided that ministers cannot make additional appointments for press coordination. “Arrangements should be made for press coordination to be handled by the spokesperson or information officer of the concerned agency, without additional appointments,” the circular states.
In the past, political appointees at both federal and local levels used such positions to offer benefits to supporters and relatives, heavily burdening the state treasury. The government now aims to curb such unnecessary expenses.
Likewise, the decision cancels extra privileges previously provided to Nepal’s ambassadors abroad beyond the standard entitlements set by law. For executive positions currently vacant in public institutions, the government will assign permanent civil servants on deputation for the time being. It has also resolved not to purchase expensive electronics or luxury goods.
Furthermore, all agencies have been directed not to run distribution-oriented programs such as free gas cylinders, bicycles, health insurance fees, electricity bill payments, hand pumps, or sari distribution.
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