Dhurba Giri
The Government of Nepal claims to adhere to policies of economic austerity, but the current reality starkly contradicts this assertion. From the Prime Minister down to ordinary ministers, the unchecked exploitation of the state treasury through their private secretariats is rampant. This expenditure not only places a financial burden on public funds—sourced from citizens’ taxes—but also significantly erodes public trust in the governance system.
By law, ministers are allowed to appoint a limited number of private staff. However, more than 200 such personnel have currently been appointed beyond the sanctioned quotas. The Prime Minister’s private secretariat alone has 41 members, far exceeding legal limits. Such unregulated appointments risk turning these staffers into “shadow ministers,” a dangerous practice with grave implications.
The influence of these private secretaries is not limited to managing appointments or logistics. Many of them operate from within ministry offices, interfering in decision-making processes, accessing confidential documents, and influencing sensitive matters like staff transfers and promotions. This is neither legally sanctioned nor compatible with democratic governance norms.
The Auditor General’s report has flagged irregularities in the appointment of private aides and advisors at the local level. Yet, the federal government itself has become the primary source of such dysfunction. Personnel from key state entities—like the Nepal Electricity Authority, Hetauda Cement Industry, Radio Nepal, Nepal Telecom, and other technical institutions—have been reassigned to work in ministers’ secretariats, potentially disrupting the regular operations of these bodies.
These private staffers enjoy an array of facilities—vehicles, fuel allowances, stipends, and travel expenses—as if wielding swords of privilege. Discrepancies within the same ministry, where some are provided full benefits, some limited, and others excessive, not only reflect administrative inconsistency but also expose how power politics is deeply entrenched in the state machinery.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect is that the Private Secretariat Act passed in 2049 B.S. has yet to be fully implemented. Due to the absence of clear regulations, there are no transparent standards for appointments or entitlements. Consequently, ministers are acting as if they are above the law, freely exploiting public resources.
This is not just a case of financial misconduct—it is a direct attack on the fundamental principles and values of governance. When private secretaries begin influencing official decisions and personnel management, it undermines administrative independence, transparency, and accountability.
This situation not only erodes taxpayers’ trust but also jeopardizes the future goal of building a capable and professional state mechanism. If clear standards, transparent appointment processes, and monitoring systems are not established immediately, this malpractice will become institutionalized—and the very credibility of the republic will come under threat.
The unchecked dominance of ministers’ private secretariats is not just an economic burden on the treasury—it is a dire warning of the moral decay creeping into the entire governance system. For leaders who speak of reform, discipline must begin with their own secretariats. That is the foremost requirement of the hour.
