Federal Parliament Secretariat Act, 2064 and Employees Administration Rules, 2065

The Federal Parliament Secretariat (संघीय संसद सचिवालय) is the administrative office that supports both houses of Parliament. Its organisation and its employees are governed by the Federal Parliament Secretariat Act, 2064 (संघीय संसद सचिवालय सम्बन्धी ऐन, २०६४) and the Federal Parliament Secretariat Employees Administration Rules, 2065 (संघीय संसद सचिवालय कर्मचारी प्रशासन नियमावली, २०६५). For the structure and general functions, see also OPMCM, MoFAGA and Federal Parliament Secretariat.

1. Why a separate secretariat and service?

• Parliament must be independent from the executive (the government) so that it can make laws and hold the government accountable.
• So Parliament has its own secretariat and its own service (Parliament Service, संसद सेवा) instead of using ordinary civil servants under ministries.
• The Act was first made as the Legislature-Parliament Secretariat Act and later renamed after the federal Constitution.

2. Structure

• Secretary General (महासचिव): the chief administrative officer of the Secretariat; appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Speaker (in consultation with the Chairperson of the National Assembly).
• Secretary of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the National Assembly: support each house.
• Divisions and sections for legislation, committees, administration, finance, library and research, information technology, security and public relations.

3. Main functions of the Secretariat

• Prepare agendas, papers and records of meetings of both houses and their committees.
• Process bills and keep official records of laws passed.
• Provide research, library and legal drafting support to members.
• Manage finance, facilities and security of Parliament and its members.
• Publish proceedings and give information to the public and media.
• Coordinate with the government, provincial assemblies and international parliaments.

4. Parliament Service and employees (Act 2064 and Rules 2065)

• Employees of the Secretariat belong to the Parliament Service, organised into groups and classes similar to the civil service (gazetted and non-gazetted).
• Recruitment: vacant posts filled by open competition and internal competition are filled on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission; the PSC publishes separate syllabi for Parliament Service posts.
• Conditions of service: appointment, probation, transfer within the Secretariat, promotion, leave, conduct, departmental punishment, retirement and pension are set by the Act and Rules, broadly in line with the Civil Service Act 2049.
• Employees must stay politically neutral and serve all members and parties equally.
• The Secretary General acts as the administrative and accounting officer for the Secretariat’s budget.

5. Importance

• Supports an independent, effective Parliament.
• Provides expertise and continuity to members who change after elections.
• Helps transparency through records and publications.

6. Key facts at a glance

7. Why an independent Parliament service matters

• Keeps Parliament free from control by the executive it oversees.
• Gives all members and parties equal, neutral support.
• Keeps records and expertise across changing Parliaments.
• Supports committees that scrutinise government work.

8. How this topic is asked in the exam

Objective questions ask the year of the Act and Rules, who appoints the Secretary General and the main functions of the Secretariat. Subjective questions ask about the importance of a separate Parliament service. Link it to the separation of powers and parliamentary oversight.