Hitraj Pandey, the chief whip of the main opposition party CPN (Maoist Center), has alleged a conspiracy regarding the cooling-off period in the Civil Service Bill.
Speaking at a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Pandey said the provision related to the cooling-off period agreed upon after lengthy discussions was not in the report not just because of tampering but because of an outright conspiracy.
He said that everyone on the committee, from the secretary to the chairperson, must be investigated regarding the matter. He demanded that a high-level investigation committee be formed by the House of Representatives itself, not by the committee, for the purpose.
"Since questions have been raised about the committee chairperson, the committee cannot conduct an internal investigation. A high-level committee must be formed, and everyone should be investigated," he said.
He reiterated that the cooling-off period should be implemented for two years.
Pandey urged the committee to take immediate steps to make corrections to the bill passed by the House.
"The committee itself must send the matter to the National Assembly for correction," he said.
However, regarding the chairperson’s resignation, Pandey said that it was his personal decision.
"Ethical issues are personal—he must demonstrate them himself. Trust, respect, and love cannot be demanded. He was the one who spoke the most in favor of the cooling-off period, but then it contains his signature," Pandey remarked.
