RSP draws a red line on nepotism in lawmakers’ offices

Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has established strict internal rules to prevent nepotism, barring its lawmakers from appointing close relatives as personal secretaries. The directive, issued by RSP General Secretary Bipin Kumar Acharya, aims to ensure transparency, cost-consciousness, and public accountability in the recruitment process.

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Appointments must be made in line with the party’s statute and its core principles of good governance. Members of the same household or close relatives are strictly prohibited from being appointed as personal secretaries. Recruitment must take place outside the circle of family and kinship.

The core provision prohibits the appointment of immediate family members or close relatives, emphasizing that recruitment must align with the party's statute and good governance principles. Beyond family ties, the RSP also mandates a minimum bachelor's degree for personal secretaries and encourages inclusive hiring practices. Appointees must also be free from conflicts of interest and cannot hold dual salaries or benefits from other employment.

To further enhance transparency, the RSP requires lawmakers to recruit personal secretaries through an open and competitive process, such as a public call for applications. The party reserves the right to investigate any disputes or complaints regarding appointments. Additionally, lawmakers must regularly evaluate their secretaries' performance and submit reports to the party. Withholding or deducting any portion of a secretary's state-provided salary is considered a serious financial violation.

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A person appointed as a personal secretary must not be engaged in full-time employment with any government or non-government organisation or be drawing financial benefits from multiple sources. Candidates must also be free from any conflict of interest that could affect a lawmaker’s official responsibilities.

This move by the RSP follows the government's decision to provide each federal lawmaker with a state-funded personal secretary. As the largest party in the House of Representatives, the RSP's proactive stance sets a precedent for other parties in managing these new appointments.

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The selection of personal secretaries must be carried out through a public call for applications or an open competition. If any dispute, complaint or question arises regarding an appointment, the party will investigate the matter and make the final decision.