Author: space4knews

Members of Parliament (MPs) need personal secretaries; however, no one is willing to openly discuss this within the context of good governance and frugality. The main reason for this reluctance is the fact that in the past, some MPs appointed their relatives as personal secretaries. Some MPs have made inappropriate appointments instead of hiring qualified individuals. Among these, some have employed people with education below the eighth grade in roles equivalent to officer-level jobs, thereby distorting the system. A few personal secretaries have even become intermediaries known locally. As MPs, who are responsible for lawmaking, started violating these laws, questions have been raised about the necessity and justification of the personal secretary system. Journalist Makar Shrestha had submitted an investigative report about the distortions caused by the personal secretary system one and a half years ago. Due to these distortions, the government led by Sushila Karki was compelled to abolish the personal secretary arrangement. The Karki administration amended the Federal Parliament Members’ Remuneration and Facilities Act of 2016 (2073 BS), removing the personal secretary benefits of MPs.

On October 22, 2025 (2082 Ashoj 5), the newly elected government faced dissatisfaction among federal parliamentary officials regarding this decision. The move was made to uphold frugality at all levels of government. While some provinces, including Sudurpaschim, were slow to implement the abolition of personal secretaries, a few days ago MPs from Koshi Province requested Prime Minister Balen Shah to reinstate the personal secretary arrangement. According to parliamentary representatives, operating MPs’ offices has become extremely difficult under current conditions. They are unable to answer phone calls or reply to messages, and lack sufficient time for personal work. During elections, MPs pledge to work 24/7 for public welfare, but practically this is not feasible.

MPs need to read draft bills and manage minor parliamentary tasks. With an increasing number of young MPs, workload and stress have also grown. Yet, MPs remain silent about requesting necessary support because many have previously abused the personal secretary position. Jobs were given to family, relatives, and friends, and salaries were misappropriated by the MPs themselves, leading to a poor image of this benefit. Some personal secretaries merely act as assistants to the party or leaders. However, this is a personal weakness of the MPs, not the system.

Personal secretaries can also be respected advisors to MPs. They can assist MPs by conducting thematic research. Some MPs regularly perform outstanding work in parliamentary meetings and committees, thanks to their teams. However, not all MPs have teams, which is why government support is necessary. To ensure personal secretaries’ investment is not wasted, regular attendance must be maintained. A deep understanding of subjects is essential to make bill discussions and performance effective. Personal secretaries are also responsible for handling constituency work and addressing voters’ expectations. Voters want to call MPs by name. The role of proportional representation MPs is even greater as they must deliver equitable service to the entire nation.

If necessary, the constitution can be amended to reduce the number of MPs. To have strong and effective MPs, minimum resources must be provided. Leaving MPs helpless renders election promises meaningless. Like former MPs such as Subas Nembang, Gagan Thapa, and Pradeep Giri, who maintained efficient personal secretariats and performed well, this approach facilitated the management of constituency and parliamentary work. It also enhanced public perception that their leaders were accessible.

Considering foreign examples, the United States federal parliament provides senators with a budget for facilities. In the United Kingdom, MPs receive staffing allowances to hire private secretaries. In Germany, MPs get allowances and resources for research and administrative assistance. The European Union and other organizations also allow MPs to employ private secretaries, but strict action is taken if relatives are appointed. In several countries, separate employees are appointed for parliamentary work and constituency duties. Some countries even have MPs functioning without personal secretaries. In India, MP Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram has admirably balanced constituency work and writing. Eight years ago, I shared Tharoor’s time management example with former UML MP Pradeep Gyawali, who remarked, “Here, such harmony is impossible.” Tharoor actively writes on economics, history, geopolitics, literature, and governance policies, with influence not only in India but globally. Imagine what would happen if he did not have a personal secretariat team.

It is necessary to monitor the misuse or proper use of personal facilities. Mechanisms are needed to ensure that regular work is carried out. Neglect by MPs in parliamentary sessions may anger voters. What the future holds is awaited. Prime Minister Balen has already expressed commitment to reform the MPs’ personal appointment system. Instead of leaving MPs powerless, reestablishing the personal secretary system is essential to make them effective. It is time to create clear rules to control the distortions observed in this system.

The 16-member cabinet under Prime Minister Balen Shah now includes six female ministers. Formed on Chaitra 13, the government has appointed women to the Ministries of Law, Agriculture, Women, Children, and Health. On the Prime Minister’s recommendation, Gaurikumari Yadav has been appointed as Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.

Kathmandu, Chaitra 27 – The cabinet led by Prime Minister Balen Shah has raised the number of women ministers to six. Upon the government’s formation on Chaitra 13, Sovita Gautam was appointed Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Geeta Chaudhary was named Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development; Sita Wadi took the post of Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens; and Nisha Meheta was appointed Minister of Health and Population. Today, on the Prime Minister’s recommendation, Gaurikumari Yadav assumed the role of Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies.

Nepal’s constitution mandates at least 33 percent female participation in state bodies. Currently, women represent over 37 percent of this government’s cabinet members.

Kathmandu, March 11 – Mahendra KC, a director of Unity Life International Limited who was absconding after being convicted in a fraud case, has been arrested by police. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police announced that KC was taken into custody on Friday from Samakhusi, Kathmandu. KC, 52, originally from Baglung Municipality-3, was residing in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-26, Samakhusi.
On April 14, 2025 (Baisakh 2, 2082 BS), the Supreme Court convicted KC in the Unity Life fraud case, sentencing him to a fine of NPR 25,000 and imprisonment for two years and six months. Authorities reported that KC had fled before the sentence was enforced. Following his arrest, the police have presented him to the District Court of Lalitpur to begin the execution of his sentence, according to the Central Investigation Bureau.

March 11, Kathmandu – The Supreme Court has directed subordinate courts to arrange alternative services for essential functions even during two-day public holidays. In its full court meeting held on Friday, the Supreme Court issued instructions that alternative arrangements must be made for critical services during leave periods exceeding 24 hours and even on Saturdays and Sundays designated as public holidays.

The Supreme Court specifically emphasized the need for such arrangements in cases requiring the issuance of arrest warrants, urgent approvals of arrest warrants, and permissions for detention. This is essential to ensure necessary cases are processed without delay.

According to Article 20(3) of Nepal’s Constitution 2015, any arrested person must be presented before a competent authority within 24 hours without exception. Due to difficulties implementing this provision during weekends and public holidays, the Supreme Court has issued this circular to mandate alternative arrangements.

This directive is binding on all High Courts, subordinate benches, special courts, and all judicial bodies across the country. Similarly, administrative courts, consumer courts, juvenile courts, and other specialized courts are required to strictly adhere to this circular.

The government has recently set office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, while designating Saturdays and Sundays as public holidays, as per last Sunday’s decision.

March 11, Kathmandu: When Prime Minister Balendra Shah took his oath on March 26 and reshuffled his cabinet, he retained the Defense Ministry alongside the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. Informally, Shah had assigned Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP Sushant Vaidik to work at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies. However, in the latest cabinet reappointments on Friday, the responsibility of the ministry has been formally handed over to Gaurikumari Yadav, who was elected from Mahottari-4.

Soon after the elections, Vaidik, who was even considered for the position of Finance Minister, was engaged by the Prime Minister to “observe” the ministry’s functioning. According to ministry sources, MP Vaidik regularly visited the ministry in recent times. He held discussions with secretaries, joint secretaries, and chief division chiefs to understand the department’s challenges and to seek advice on potential solutions. A senior official described that Vaidik actively shared his perspectives on reforms within the ministry, consulting with top-level staff.

Vaidik also engaged with senior officials of the Nepal Oil Corporation and the Office of the Company Registrar. Furthermore, he consulted the heads of eight major divisions under the Ministry of Industry. A senior ministry official stated, “He was gathering information on problems and possible reforms and consulting the views of employees.” Vaidik holds a postgraduate degree in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE) and another master’s in Economics and Business Administration from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) in Norway.

Despite his contributions, Vaidik was not appointed minister in Friday’s reshuffle. Instead, Gaurikumari Yadav has been appointed Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, while Ramji Yadav was named Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security. Gaurikumari Yadav entered RSP days before the elections and successfully won her seat. According to Subham Yadav, RSP chairman for Mahottari, Gaurikumari was previously active in social work rather than in active politics. He explained, “She did not engage in active politics before but was involved in social service.” Her husband, Shivji Yadav, was affiliated with the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) but has now also joined RSP following her election, as confirmed by Subham Yadav.

The newly appointed minister is 54 years old, has studied until the ISC level, and was elected from the Sangrampur area of Mahottari with a significant margin. She secured 30,132 votes, defeating the JSP candidate Surendra Kumar Yadav by approximately 22,000 votes.

March 11, Kathmandu – Newly elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ruby Kumari Thakur, has taken the oath of office and secrecy. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, where Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal administered the oath. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav, National Assembly Chair Narayan Dahal, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and other senior officials.

In the election held on Friday, Ruby Kumari Thakur defeated Saraswati Lama of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Previously, she had represented the parliament as a member of the Labor Culture Party. Ruby Kumari was supported by her own party, the Labor Culture Party, alongside the ruling coalition parties Rastriya Swatantra Party, Nepali Congress, and the Communist Party of Nepal. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party contested the election independently, while the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) did not participate in this election.

March 10, Pokhara – The Nepali Congress Gandaki Province Working Committee organized a program titled ‘Election Review and the Future Path of Congress’ on Friday in Pokhara. Party Chairperson Gagan Kumar Thapa was also present at the event. However, throughout the program, Chairperson Thapa’s expressions were neither cheerful nor enthusiastic.

During the review session, district chairpersons of the province, direct and proportional candidates, as well as central officials, delivered their statements. Gagan attentively listened to all remarks but showed little enthusiasm. This was a stark contrast to his demeanor on January 6, when he came to Pokhara for the provincial assembly before the elections held on February 13.

During the election campaign, workers rallied behind Gagan with the slogan “Now or Never, Gagan Government,” but he introduced a new slogan at that gathering — “This Time, Hundred Percent.” Congress leaders and workers echoed this chant loudly. When he visited Pokhara on February 3 for an election rally, Gagan’s enthusiasm remained consistent. He expressed, “Congress must give voters the impression of change to secure victory,” adding, “We must carry the message of change to every village. Only Congress, as the freshest party brought by the Special General Convention, offers something new.”

However, the slogan “This Time, Hundred Percent” failed to translate into electoral success; Congress managed to secure only 38 seats, less than half of the desired target. The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which contested the election with Balendra Shah (Balen) as the candidate for future prime minister, won nearly two-thirds of the seats, and Balen has since become prime minister. Even when Balen arrived, Gagan’s expression did not noticeably change.

Out of 18 seats in Gandaki Province, Congress won only from Mustang and Manang. Following this disappointing election result, it was natural that Gagan did not appear enthusiastic at the review meeting. Various leaders analyzed the results differently, and Gagan could not evade pointed questions. Some leaders attributed Congress’s failure to unify in government to the Special General Convention, which they said contributed to the party’s weak messaging during the elections. Many described public sentiment as a ‘storm’ and felt Congress’s election strategy was ineffective.

During the review, some leaders even issued warnings directed at Gagan, implying, “Yesterday you fought against the brothers; now you should not have to fight against the leadership from the Special General Convention.” Raju Thapa, chairperson of Syangja, urged Gagan to collaborate with other leaders like outgoing Chairperson Sher Bahadur Deuba. He recalled that earlier he had suggested that Congress might have been better off not contesting the election given the unfavorable political climate. Yet now, he stressed, unifying Congress is imperative, and asked Gagan to focus on this.

“Yesterday, it was said that the brothers carried the responsibility; now it is your turn to take charge, and we hope you will not have to confront another brother,” said Syangja Chairperson Thapa. He dismissed the idea that the Special General Convention caused fluctuations in votes, adding, “The votes neither increased nor decreased because of the Convention. The national and international environment was not in our favor.” He pointed out that populism is rising worldwide, and Nepal is experiencing a similar situation.

While listening to critical leaders, Gagan nodded frequently, taking notes in his diary. At times, he recalled speakers and even conversed quietly with Vice-Chairperson Bishwprakash Sharma. Gagan, who is normally jovial and astute in demeanor, did not appear enthusiastic, which prompted one female leader to express concern and ask for an explanation.

Gagan responded, “I am in contemplation, not anxiety.” After hearing the critiques and warnings from Gandaki leaders, he clarified his state of mind: “There is a big difference between worry and contemplation. Worry relates to fear and reaction, whereas contemplation is about self-reflection and analysis. I am more in contemplation.”

“The main part of contemplation is listening to oneself and others. I am currently undertaking a campaign of speaking less and listening more,” he added. Previously, Congress spokesperson Devaraj Chalise had advised not to be disheartened by election results, stressing the difference between a battle and a war. Echoing this, Gagan emphasized that he will treat the election outcome not as a failure but as a message to move forward.

He revealed plans to conduct regular general conventions within the upcoming Ashwin month and work both at the national level as the main opposition party and as the ruling party at provincial and local levels. “The responsibility is mine; the party must be flexible and strive to unite everyone. I will fulfill that responsibility,” he said. “I will go everywhere, engage in dialogue, and try to bring everyone together.” His focus is to make Congress the first party by the next provincial and local elections.

Vice-Chairperson Bishwprakash Sharma announced that the parliamentary party leader would be selected soon. He also appealed to outgoing Chairperson Deuba to return to Nepal and support investigations. Gagan claimed that the Supreme Court is currently considering cases related to the Special General Convention’s committee, and he expects decisions to be made favorably under law.

General Secretary Pradeep Paudel noted that election styles and campaign methods have evolved, emphasizing the need to advance with technical expertise and integrity.