The ruling CPN-UML has said that State Affairs and Good Governance Committee Chairman Ramhari Khatiwada cannot continue in his position.
During a meeting that began on Wednesday in the committee’s office, UML lawmaker Padam Giri said that neither the committee chairman nor the secretary can remain in their roles due to the discrepancy between the discussions and decisions made in the committee regarding the cooling-off period in the Civil Service Bill and what was presented in Parliament.
“From a moral standpoint, he cannot take leadership of the committee. Both of you must pave the way for an investigation and subsequent action over this issue. The chairman must step aside, and the secretary, from a moral perspective, cannot continue in the role either,” Giri said.
He described the incident as the most shameful in Nepal’s parliamentary history, stating that the entire committee was misled and that the event mocked a committee of the sovereign Parliament.
“This is a disgusting situation. It’s unimaginable that people’s representatives would stoop to such levels,” he said.
Giri said that since the report on the bill passed by the committee bears the signatures of the chairman and the secretary, what others may have done was not their concern. “It is the responsibility of the chairman and the secretary to ensure the decision is forwarded as it is to Parliament. We don’t know what any minister, secretary, or lower-level staff did in between,” he said.
He said that further details would emerge after an investigation, and that the committee would also discuss how to prevent such incidents in the future. Until then, neither the chairman nor the secretary can remain in their positions, he added.
“After a thorough investigation, those responsible for any lapses will face action accordingly. Otherwise, this is a black mark in Nepal’s parliamentary history—a very dangerous incident. If it is covered up in any way, it could recur in the future and lead to growing public disillusionment with democracy and the parliamentary system,” he said.
UML lawmaker Basudev Ghimire also demanded the committee chairman’s resignation over the matter.
