Due to the lack of steps to be taken by the state against various crimes and the lack of laws to be made, the country is now on the ”grey list” of wealth laundering. It is clear that most of the political parties and parliamentarians are not sensitive to the country's image by trying to make a law to cover up the confusion at a time when they have to figure out how to get out of this 'list' that is linked to the international image and raise the country's reputation.
Although the process of making laws in the parliamentary system is lengthy, it is believed that the laws made after that will be matured. Such judgment is also natural because discretion is used by government agencies, parliamentarians, experts and stakeholders. But in the course of law making, there are many references where selfishness is more than conscience and the benefit of a certain group is more than the larger interest of the country.
The latest reference is to try to provide a pension system if an employee is convicted of a crime including corruption after retirement. A similar report was prepared by the sub-committee formed by the State Order and Good Governance Committee to study the Federal Civil Service Bill.
Now it is time for the full meeting of the committee to exercise its discretion on such provisions. At a time when the expectations of good governance are increasing, all stakeholders should be aware that these and such provisions, which are instrumental in discrediting the system, should not be included directly or indirectly.
The then Federal Affairs and General Administration Minister Anita Devi submitted to the House of Representatives on 21 February 2080, Article 68 of the Federal Civil Service Bill contained provisions related to 'non-receipt of pension'.
In its sub-section 1, it was stated that "a person who is receiving pension or family pension on leave will not get pension if he is found guilty by the court of corruption, government or public documents, crimes against the state, drug dealing, money laundering, sale of antiquities, human trafficking, kidnapping and body hostage, coercion, polygamy or other criminal offenses showing moral depravity". But the sub-committee removed the section 68 of the original bill and put a provision in it that 'double facility should not be taken'. The committee should be aware of the side effects of such provisions.
Previously, laws related to civil service or other organizations were being misused as there was no mention of giving pension facilities to retired officials who were found to be corrupt. Former IGPs Om Vikram Rana and Hem Bahadur Gurung, who were found to be corrupt in the Sudan scam case, are enjoying pension benefits.
But the then IGP Ramesh Chand Thakuri, who was found guilty in the same case while holding office, has not received a pension. The sub-committee removed section 68, which was included in the last Civil Bill keeping this distortion in mind. In other words, an attempt has been made not to remove distortion, but to add it. Putting controversial provisions together with leaders and employees of political parties is critical.
Corruption committed by former employees while in office can come to the surface at any time. Details of other crimes can also be made public at any time. The court can always convict those involved in such crimes.
In this way, there is no reason for the state to be soft on people who have been found guilty by a judicial trial of corruption and moral corruption, rather it is expected to be harsh on them. But the report of the sub-committee has created a report that the pension facility of the ex-employees will be continued, and it has hit the people's expectations.
If such a facility is to be provided, even the corrupt should be protected from the state's treasury for life. The subcommittee's interest in the prima facie inconsistent provision is strange. It makes a mockery of the commitment to fiscal discipline and good governance. The country's image is tarnished in the international arena.
Due to the lack of measures to be taken by the state against various crimes and the lack of laws to be made, the country is now on the "grey list" of wealth laundering. It is clear that most of the political parties and parliamentarians are not sensitive to the country's image by trying to make a law to cover up the confusion at a time when they have to figure out how to get out of this 'list' that is linked to the international image and raise the country's reputation.
This issue of pension can be added to the list of other efforts of the government or parliamentarians. As such, a law was prepared to provide life-long benefits to the pre-eligible. However, the government backed away from such efforts. The attempt to put a hole in the committee's attempt to keep a 'cooling period' for the next appointment after retirement in the Civil Bill is another case. The change in standards to adorn the former president with jewels has also disappointed the citizens. There is pressure on the committee not to implement the controversial provisions of the report given by the
sub-committee. An informal agreement has also been reached between the MPs participating in the State Order and Good Governance Committee only on Sunday to remove this system. But the commitment to this should be maintained till the final stage of law making. Because the growing incidence of corruption and the involvement of the political-administrative class in it is creating resentment among the citizens.
The expectation that good governance will be maintained is also suspected to be weakening. Different groups are trying to use this situation as fuel to change the system itself. Therefore, the parties and institutions carrying the system should take prudent decisions in a manner that instills hope and motivation in the citizens. Weakness and self-interest of the leader should end the situation that has to be carried by the heavy system.
