Seeking service in Nepali government offices is often fraught with delays and hassles. Many are compelled to spend days to have their work done. Amid this, the Gandaki provincial government will table a bill that rules that if a service seeker’s work is not addressed timely and according to the Citizens’ Charter, the office will be liable for compensation to the public. The rule is soon to go into effect in government offices across Gandaki Province.

The bill states that the Citizens’ Charter—which provides information about the right office for the right service and the time allocated for that service—should be placed in each government office. If the service is not provided accordingly, the official responsible for the delay will be punished, the bill further states. Likewise, the best performing official will be awarded.

Furthermore, the Citizens’ Charters should state the kind of service the office provides, the contact details of concerned officials, the cost of the service (if any) and documents to be presented to receive the service, among others, the bill states.

A two-day meeting of the Assembly’s legislative committee passed the ‘good governance’ bill, and it will now be tabled in the provincial assembly scheduled for January 8, according to Mohan Prasad Regmi, chief of the committee.

The Nepal Communist Party boasts a majority of 39 assembly members out of 60 in the Gandaki Province.