KATHMANDU: The parliamentary special probe committee formed to investigate alterations in the Federal Civil Service Bill regarding the “cooling-off period” has finalized a unanimous report, holding two key individuals responsible.

The report names Ramhari Khatiwada, Chairperson of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, and Suraj Kumar Dura, the committee secretary, as responsible for inserting language that nullified the cooling-off period provision, according to a committee member.

After two days and two nights of extensive discussions, the committee reached a consensus and finalized the report early Tuesday morning.

The member confirmed that Khatiwada and Dura were identified as the primary figures accountable.

The report also mentions that others directly and thematically involved in the process bear responsibility.

The original draft of the Federal Civil Service Bill registered in Parliament included a clause mandating a one-year cooling-off period for retired secretaries and joint secretaries.

This provision barred them from holding any position—other than constitutional or diplomatic appointments, or those approved by the Government of Nepal—within a year of retirement.

It also prohibited them from working as employees or consultants in projects not operated by intergovernmental or international development partners, or in organizations within the scope of their former roles.

However, when the bill was passed by the House of Representatives, a new clause—Section 82(4)—was inserted, exempting retired civil servants from the cooling-off period.

Additionally, the phrase requiring “prior approval of the government” was removed.

The insertion of the word “except” in this clause effectively rendered the cooling-off provision meaningless.

This discovery led to the formation of the parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate who was responsible for the change.

Despite continuous discussions from Sunday morning through Monday night into Tuesday morning, the committee initially failed to reach a conclusion.

The committee was given 21 days for investigation, with a 7-day extension.

The original deadline expired at midnight on Sunday, but after extended deliberations, the members signed the final report early Tuesday morning.

Committee member Ishwori Gharti confirmed that all seven members signed the report.

The committee was coordinated by Jeevan Pariyar, a Nepali Congress lawmaker and Joint General Secretary of the party.

Other members included Sushila Thing from Nepali Congress, Ishwori Gharti and Narayan Prasad Acharya from CPN-UML, Madhav Sapkota from Maoist Centre, Ganesh Parajuli from Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Roshan Karki from Rastriya Prajatantra Party.