Chief Secretary of the government Bhojraj Ghimire has said that the 10-year work plan to reform bureaucracy is in its final stage.

Speaking at an interaction organised on the eve of the the Civil Service Day on Wednesday, Ghimire said: “The 10-year work plan to reform the country’s bureaucracy as directed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has reached the final stage.”

Chief Secretary Ghimire said the civil service in Nepal was compelled to move as per the government’s direction as it lacked clear vision and roadmap.

Stating that there is a need to change the mentality of civil servants, Ghimire said the leadership is now trying to work as per the concept of “democratic people-oriented administration”.

He added that civil service is being criticized as incapable and non-transparent as it lacks its own clear roadmap.

The Chief Secretary further said the civil service was confronted with various problems as it has had to be responsible towards the governments, which were not stable, reports said.

“I know bureaucracy is alleged of being more loyal to laws and procedures than to the people. But, with regained democracy, people will really see effective, transparent and people-oriented bureaucracy,” he promised.

He informed that a bill has been tabled in the parliament to make the bureaucracy more inclusive as there was only nominal representation of Dalits, Janajatis and Disabled people till date.

He informed that of the 88 thousand civil servants, only eight thousand are women.

The new civil service bill tabled at the parliament proposed 45 percent reservation for Women, Dalits, Janajatis and other disadvantaged groups.