Sixth National Conference of Public Service Commissions Concludes in Pokhara, Declaration Issued with Six-Point Decisions
Kathmandu. The sixth national conference of Public Service Commissions has concluded in Pokhara, the capital of Gandaki Province, under the main slogan: “Commitment of the Public Service Commission: Ensuring Competitive Selection.”
The two-day conference, held on Chaitra 29 and 30, 2082 B.S., concluded with the issuance of a declaration and six-point decisions.
The conference was inaugurated by Madhav Prasad Regmi, Honorable Chairperson of the Public Service Commission. The program was attended by the chairpersons, members, and secretaries of the Federal Public Service Commission and all seven Provincial Public Service Commissions.
The opening session was also attended by the Acting Chief Secretary of the Gandaki Province Government and the Chief District Officer of Kaski District. Participants in the conference were welcomed by the Chairperson and Secretary of the Gandaki Province Public Service Commission.
Emphasis on Uniform Procedures and Error-Free Selection
Addressing the conference, Chairperson Madhav Prasad Regmi stressed that maintaining uniformity and quality in the working procedures of the commissions is essential.
He said that employees selected by the commission are carriers of governance effectiveness, and even a minor error in the selection system could have consequences that the state would have to bear for a long time. He called on all concerned to remain alert.
Chairperson Regmi also expressed the view that the credibility of the commission would grow further only if it moved forward by preserving the public trust it has earned while also embracing technological changes, the growing exercise of the right to information, and changing contexts.
Similarly, Public Service Commission Secretary Rameshwar Dangal said that, in the current situation where there is no permanent structure for coordination and collaboration between the federal and provincial commissions, the national conference organized every year is extremely important.
He stated that the conference would finalize the draft of the commission’s principles and standards. The chairpersons of all seven provinces also spoke on the relevance of the conference and the efforts being made in their respective provinces to make recruitment clean, fair, and reliable.
Presentation of Working Papers and Interaction
At the conference, various working papers were presented on behalf of the central and provincial Public Service Commissions.
On behalf of the Public Service Commission, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Purushottam Sharma presented a working paper covering the relevance of the conference, past achievements, issues of common concern, challenges, and best practices. All provincial commissions also presented working papers outlining their respective progress and challenges.
There was extensive interaction among participants on the presented working papers. On that occasion, Honorable Member of the Public Service Commission Bir Bahadur Rai presented the latest reforms made in the examination system of organized institutions and a synthesis of the issues raised throughout the conference.
Next Conference to Be Held in Madhesh Province
The conference held clause-wise discussions on the draft principles and standards adopted by the Public Service Commission in accordance with federal law and made important decisions.
It was decided that, based on suggestions received from all provincial Public Service Commissions, the “Basis and Standards of the Public Service Commission, 2082 B.S.” would be approved and made public. It was also decided that indicators would be determined for its implementation and that self-evaluation or peer evaluation would be carried out.
Likewise, the conference passed six-point decisions, including the decision to hold the seventh national conference of Public Service Commissions in Madhesh Province on Falgun 23 and 24, 2083 B.S.
In conclusion, the conference was closed with a commitment to embrace the responsibility of promoting and safeguarding the merit system and to remain united in addressing common issues and challenges.
According to the press release issued by commission spokesperson Purushottam Sharma, a joint declaration was also issued expressing commitment to bring uniformity to staffing principles and standards, attract suitable human resources in line with the spirit of federalism, and recommend qualified candidates through competitive examinations.
