24th September 2025, Kathmandu
The Government of Nepal’s Cabinet has enacted a significant reform to reduce administrative costs and improve governance by revoking the personal secretary privileges of a wide range of political officeholders.
Cabinet Ends Privileges for Lawmakers
This major policy decision, made on Ashwin 5, 2082 (September 21, 2025), is a direct response to longstanding criticism of government overspending and political favoritism. The move is expected to save a considerable amount of public funds and marks a shift toward a more streamlined and accountable administrative system. The timing of this decision is particularly notable given the recent backdrop of the Gen-Z protests, which have called for greater fiscal discipline and an end to corruption, a topic of intense national discussion in Nepal. The new government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, has made it a priority to address these public demands for good governance.
Specifics of the Cabinet’s New Policy
The new policy introduces strict limitations on who can appoint a personal secretary and prohibits the appointment of advisors at federal, provincial, and local levels.
- Removal of Personal Secretaries: The right to appoint a personal secretary has been abolished for all lawmakers and most political officials.
- Exemptions: This new rule does not apply to the country’s highest-ranking officials. The President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairperson of the National Assembly are still permitted to have personal secretaries.
- Limitation for Ministers: Even for ministers and provincial heads, the new policy imposes a strict limit, allowing them to appoint a maximum of three personal secretaries only.
- Ban on New Advisors: The Cabinet has also decided to halt the appointment of any new advisors for political officeholders at the federal, provincial, and local levels. The same top-tier officials who are exempt from the personal secretary ban are also exempt from this advisory ban.
- Cuts in Perks: In addition to the staffing limitations, the policy also eliminates other benefits associated with these positions. Ministries will no longer provide office space for personal secretariats, and perks such as government vehicles, foreign trips, and other physical facilities will not be available to personal secretaries or advisory staff.
This decision is an attempt to address a long-standing issue in Nepali governance where these appointments often served as a way to reward political loyalists, leading to bloated administrative structures and inefficient spending. The government’s actions reflect a direct effort to respond to public demand for a leaner, more accountable government.
Rationale and Broader Impact
The core rationale behind this sweeping reform is to significantly reduce government expenditure and redirect public funds toward priority development and welfare programs. The practice of appointing a large number of personal secretaries and advisors has been a major drain on the state treasury. By curbing these expenses, the government is taking a proactive step toward fiscal prudence.
The impact of this reform is expected to be felt across various levels of government and society:
For Lawmakers and Officials: They will now have to manage their duties with fewer resources, which could encourage greater efficiency and a focus on core responsibilities. This may lead to a more direct engagement with their constituents without the intermediary of a large staff.
For Taxpayers: The public will benefit from the expected savings. This fiscal discipline can lead to more effective use of taxpayers’ money for essential services and infrastructure projects.
For Governance: The move signals a shift towards merit-based public service and a reduction in politically motivated appointments. This can help strengthen public trust in government and create a more transparent system. This is particularly relevant in the context of recent protests against corruption and political instability, which have highlighted public frustration with the existing political system.
The implementation of this policy will now fall to the Ministry of Finance and other relevant departments. While the reform is likely to face opposition from politicians who will lose these privileges, it has been widely praised by civil society organizations and citizens who have long advocated for such changes. The decision by Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s government to take such decisive action early in its tenure underscores a commitment to addressing the root causes of public dissatisfaction and promoting a more transparent and responsible form of leadership. This move, along with a recent decision to slash thousands of politically motivated projects from the budget, marks a serious effort by the interim government to bring about much-needed financial discipline and accountability.
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