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Kathmandu Saturday January 05, 2002 Paush 21, 2058.
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Civil service
Some civil servants, especially those who are
soon to get retired, have raised their voices in favour of extending their service period
by two years. Such raising of retirement age came up at a secretary level general meeting
held last week in the capital. This is an attempt not only to misuse the state of
emergency but also a step to press the government that they only can handle the current
situation better. Such an attempt also comes at a time when the government is fighting
against the Maoist insurgents. The Maoists have launched a war against the democratic
establishment since 1995. The government has imposed a state of emergency throughout the
country since the Maoists withdrew talks with the government three months ago. The war
against the Maoist insurgents is unlikely to end soon, despite efforts on the part of the
government to weed out the Maoist rebels. Certainly, the civil servants have tried to
raise the retirement age from 58 to 60 years by taking an advantage of this fluid
situation.
To meet administrative requirements, the
government can, no doubt, raise the retirement age for civil servants from 58 to 60 years.
However, the government needs not only to discuss such provisions in parliament but also
introduce legal procedures before it acts in favour of civil servants. Any attempt to
amend law citing a state of emergency may ultimately cost democratic values of this
country rather than yield tangible results. A country, that practices in parliamentary
democracy, is expected to enforce less "ordinance" than a country that follows
an autocratic system. Any ordinance -- be it raising the retirement age or minimum
education for civil servants -- enforced during a state of emergency but without taking
into account the possibility, objective and justification, may bring a disastrous
consequence in this country. The administrative reform commission has suggested a few
measures with an objective to bring efficiency and effectiveness a year ago. Among them
included reduction of present civil service strength. The government did neither take it
seriously, nor has it felt necessary. Since the restoration of democracy, successive
governments have not only failed to ensure their accountability, but also failed to
recognize democratic values.
The government has no option but to recognize
that civil servants need better facilities. The training programmes provided by the
government do not meet the basic requirements for an administrative purpose. It is also
true that the salary provided to our civil servants hardly meets their monthly expenses,
leave aside the education of their children. This is the main reason why civil servants
have raised their voices in favour of extending their retirement age. Had civil servants
too received the facilities of a parliamentarian, they would not have attempted to raise
their retirement age. Neither would they
have been involved in corruption. There are some senior civil servant officials devoted to
their duties and the nation who would like to service this country even after their
retirement. Such civil servants
should be given due recognition and they must get a place to serve the country. |
