KATHMANDU: The government has decided to abolish personal secretary (PS) facilities for most political officeholders, including Members of Parliament, while retaining them for the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Chairman of the National Assembly, Provincial Chiefs, and federal and provincial ministers.

According to a press release issued by Ministry of Finance Joint Secretary and spokesperson Tanka Prasad Pandey, the decision was approved at the Cabinet meeting held on September 21.

The release, under the section titled “Organizational Structure Reform,” states that federal and provincial ministers, as well as provincial chiefs, may now appoint a maximum of three staff members in their personal secretariats.

All other political officeholders will no longer receive PS facilities.

The Ministry of Finance has directed all federal ministries, agencies, provincial governments, and local bodies to implement the decision.

The ministry further noted that the Cabinet, in its September 18 meeting, had approved additional measures aimed at restructuring public institutions, ensuring efficient service delivery, managing election-related expenses, and prioritizing economic recovery and relief programs.

These measures also include cutting unproductive spending and reprioritizing development projects to promote fiscal prudence.