The initiative for the same was first launched when Prime Minister Sushil Koirala assumed the office on February 11 this year, devising plans and asking other government agencies to follow suit.

“No temporary employees shall be deputed at sensitive divisions in PMO; lower ranking officials at the PMO shall not be used as domestic workers in the houses of their senior officials while PMO officials shall be barred to attend seminars, meetings and trainings not related to the PMO. But any official who take part in such seminars, meetings and trainings with prior consent of senior officials should compulsorily submit their report at the office,” reads the guideline.

The PMO guideline also discourages officials from going on foreign junkets through state funding. Those officials who go on such junkets will get reimbursement only after submitting details of their air ticket, boarding passes, flight number and other supporting documents and should mandatorily provide report and other supporting documents like minutes of the meetings they attended and photographs.

The guideline urges PMO officials not to stay in meetings without doing proper homework, stressing that office meetings should be organised after office hours and very few officials will get meeting allowances for the same. Likewise, the PMO will only provide fuel facility to its officials as per the norms set by the Finance Ministry, and in case some officials require additional fuel they should provide the reason for the same.

The guideline has also discouraged rampant and unnecessary use of office stationery, stating that photocopy paper, toner, rain coat, umbrellas, bags, small towels, memory cards, computers and laptops will be provided only after need assessment and approval from higher authorities.

“While purchasing goods for official use, Nepali products will be given preference and procurement over Rs 25, 000 should be completed through competitive bidding process,” the guideline added.

It also discourages organising seminars, trainings and meetings in hotels, but in case it is necessary, a mandatory consent should be taken from higher authorities and they should be organised by remaining within the financial norms. The office should also compulsorily make public its income and expenditures on a quarterly basis, according to the guideline.

“The guideline was prepared to maintain financial discipline so that the PMO can be serve as centre of excellence,” said Shanta Raj Subedi, Secretary at the PMO. “We have forwarded our guideline to others entities and will gradually encourage them to follow it. Without maintaining financial discipline, we will not achieve the goal of good governance and accountable government.”