Laws Being Formulated to Prevent Dual Benefits to Constitutional Office-Bearers: Minister Gautam

Kathmandu, Sept 24: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam has said the government is formulating necessary laws to prevent office-bearers of constitutional bodies from receiving dual benefits from the state.

Speaking during a discussion on the Remuneration, Conditions of Service and Facilities of the Office-Bearers of Constitutional Bodies (First Amendment) Bill, 2083 at the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee meeting in Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Minister Gautam said the proposed legal provisions aim to address the issue of double benefits.

She said the Constitution allows retired special-class government employees to be appointed to constitutional bodies, making it necessary to establish clear legal arrangements regarding their pension and remuneration.

“We are formulating the law with the objective of ensuring that no one receives double benefits,” Minister Gautam said.

She also noted that the Supreme Court has already directed the government to formulate necessary laws to regulate remuneration and other benefits provided to office-bearers of constitutional bodies.

According to Minister Gautam, state resources must be used properly and the practice of receiving both pension and remuneration from public funds needs to be brought to an end.

She said the proposed legal arrangement would systematically prevent employees appointed to constitutional bodies from receiving both pension and remuneration where such dual benefits are not permitted.