Scholarships for bureaucrats tightened

KATHMANDU, Oct 10: Acting on complaints lodged by service seekers, a high-level government committee on scholarships has decided to tighten scholarship programs awarded for long to government officials with the support of various international entities.

A meeting of the scholarship committee headed by Chief Secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimire decided to tighten the provisions on scholarships, concluding that there have been severe anomalies in the programs.

Dozens of government employees have long been receiving scholarships for abroad study with the support of foreign countries.

A meeting of the committee held four days ago concluded that scholarships are grossly misused and there is a lack of transparency in the programs. Scholarship programs are largely contributing to delay in service delivery, thereby inviting complaints from service seekers, the committee concludes.

The committee also concluded that scholarships are not distributed in a fair manner.

"Most government agencies have for long been awarding scholarships without taking prior consent from the scholarship committee constituted under the chief secretary, something mandatory under the Civil Service Act 2049 BS," states the decision taken by the committee, adding, "Every government agency is required to seek consent from the committee before awarding a scholarship to anyone."

* Scholarship committee asks govt agencies to accept foreign aid only for most needed scholarship programs
* Govt agencies asked to get prior consent from scholarship committee before awarding scholarships
* Committee directs govt agencies not to send jumbo teams abroad under scholarship or training programs
* Agencies asked to give priority in scholarships to those working in remote areas

The committee has asked all government agencies concerned to accept foreign aid for scholarships only in the most needed situations.

"The committee took the decision as government work has been badly affected due to absence of officials," said Binod KC, spokesperson at the Ministry of General Administration (MoGA), adding, "The fresh decision will help deliver government services in an effective and speedy manner, thereby curbing anomalies facing the scholarship programs."

According to the committee, a trend of jumbo government teams going abroad for scholarship programs or trainings is rife.

"The committee directs government authorities concerned not to send jumbo teams on foreign trips under scholarship or training programs, thereby affecting government services," reads the committee decision.

The committee has asked state agencies not to award scholarships at the same time to two high ranking [special-class level] officials from an institution where two such persons are working.

All government bodies are also asked to appoint anyone for a scholarship only if the scholarship committee gives its nod.

Acting on a complaint that most scholarship programs are being awarded to those working either in Kathmandu or in other urban areas, the committee has further directed agencies concerned to give priority to those working in remote areas while selecting them for and awarding scholarships.

"The committee also asks the authorities concerned to give priority to those working at local level and to non-gazette employees," the decision further states.

As per the committee´s fresh decision, all government agencies are required to monitor whether the new instructions are being implemented.

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