State Affairs Committee Chair Khatiwada resigns
Khatiwada announced his resignation, taking moral and political responsibility for the controversy surrounding the cooling-off period provision in the Federal Civil Service Bill.
KATHMANDU: Ramhari Khatiwada, Chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee in the House of Representatives, has resigned from his post.
Speaking at Tuesday’s parliamentary session, Khatiwada stated that he stepped down to uphold the integrity of the office and to put principles above position, following allegations related to errors in the Federal Civil Service Bill report.
The controversy centers on the “cooling-off period” provision, unanimously passed by the committee, which barred retired civil servants from holding constitutional or government appointments for two years. However, the provision was reportedly diluted during the bill’s drafting, rendering it ineffective.
Investigation revealed pressure from senior officials, including Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal and Secretary Padma Prasad Pandey, as well as political leaders up to then-Prime Minister KP Oli, to weaken the provision.
A special parliamentary committee led by Congress co-General Secretary Jeevan Pariyar was formed to probe the breach, with the report recommending Khatiwada assume political and moral responsibility.
Khatiwada left the parliament building after tendering his resignation.
