Civil Servants Submit 22-Point Demand to Finance Minister Paudel

Kathmandu: The Nepal National Civil Servants Organization has handed over a 22-point demand letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel. The submission took place on Sunday at the Ministry of Finance.

The group is urging the government to address major civil service concerns in the upcoming fiscal year 2082/83 budget. Their demands focus on salary increases, career development, equal treatment, and broad reforms to strengthen the public administration.

Demand Highlights from Civil Servants

1. Timely Promotions and Career Growth

Many civil servants, especially non-gazetted staff, say they have been overlooked for promotions. They are asking for clear rules to ensure promotions and grade increases every two years.

2. Equal Pay for Equal Work

They demand equal salaries for similar roles across federal, provincial, and local governments. This is in line with a previous Supreme Court ruling.

3. Fair Benefits for Contract Staff

The organization says temporary, daily-wage, and contract workers deserve fair treatment. They want all staff included in the social security system.

4. Welfare and Non-Monetary Support

To boost morale, the group proposes a civil servant-owned production company and an employee welfare fund. These would support workers during emergencies and retirement.

Broader Economic and Policy Suggestions

5. Support Local Industries

Civil servants recommend that all officials wear clothing made from Nepali textiles. This would help promote local businesses and reduce import dependence.

6. Regulate Homemade Liquor

They suggest formalizing the traditional liquor industry. Regulation and taxation would increase government revenue and support local producers.

7. Enforce Recovery of Public Funds

The government should implement court orders to collect unpaid dues and recover misused state funds.

8. Tax Professional Services

The group calls for proper classification and taxation of professionals such as doctors, engineers, and lawyers.

9. Herbal Export Zones

Civil servants propose creating regulated zones for medicinal herbs, including cannabis. This would promote exports and prevent illegal trade.

10. Merge Technical Offices

To address staff shortages, they want scattered federal technical offices to be reorganized under provincial governments.

Agriculture, Industry, and Technology Reforms

11. Boost Food Security

They urge the government to reduce food import dependence. Targeted subsidies should support local farmers and increase agricultural output.

12. Assemble Vehicles in Nepal

Encourage partnerships with foreign firms to build local vehicle assembly plants. This would reduce imports and create jobs.

13. Regulate Luxury Electronics

Limit the import of non-essential electronics like smartphones and laptops. Promote repair culture to save costs and reduce e-waste.

14. Protect Domestic Agriculture

They want strict quality checks on imported food items and support for locally grown alternatives.

15. Speed Up Land Registration

Land surveys and dispute resolutions should be fast-tracked. This would bring more properties into the tax system.

Policy Reforms and Budget Priorities

16. Develop Farm Tool Industry

Build local factories and training centers to produce farming tools. This would lower import costs and empower rural industries.

17. Increase Tax on Luxury Goods

High taxes should be imposed on non-essential products like imported cosmetics to promote local brands.

18. Scrap Inactive Projects

Civil servants recommend cancelling dead or delayed projects. Budget resources should be redirected to viable initiatives.

19. Stop Central Interference

They oppose central government interference in local projects. Local governments should have more autonomy and control.

20. Encourage Productive Capitalism

National investors who keep their profits in Nepal should be recognized and supported. Those who send profits abroad should be treated differently.

Social and Community-Focused Proposals

21. One Household–One Product

Launch this nationwide scheme through cooperatives. It will help families generate income through entrepreneurship and small-scale production.

22. Civil Servants’ Sports Club

Establish a dedicated sports and wellness club for civil servants. This would promote physical health, mental well-being, and global participation in competitions.

Why It Matters

The organization believes these reforms are crucial for building a fair, efficient, and motivated civil service. As the government drafts its budget for 2082/83, these demands reflect the urgent needs of thousands of employees working across Nepal’s public sector.