The government has directed the officials of Public Service Commission (PSC) not to open vacancy to recruit fresh civil servants for the next two months. A Cabinet meeting took the decision to this effect on Sunday.

The government made such directive after the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA) sought two months’ time to finalise the details of necessary human resources required to run the local, provincial, and federal governments.

Following a seven-hour meeting on Sunday, said Energy Minister Barshaman Pun, the Cabinet had decided to direct the commission not to announce vacancies for recruitment until mid-December.

PSC Chairman Umesh Mainali said the commission would help the government in managing the staff positions in the three-tier administration if it requires but officials don’t believe the government will complete its task within its own time limit.

Sunday’s Cabinet meeting also decided to form a Directive Committee led by Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel to estimate the educational human resource necessary for 25 years to come after surveying the current situation.

Vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission will be the joint-chairperson of the committee with the NPC member who handles educational affairs, and secretaries at the NPC and the Education Ministry as members.

An eight-member task force led by expert Rudra Suwal has been formed under the directive committee. “The committee will project the human resources for five, 12 and 25 years along with priority sectors of the government that includes engineering and agriculture,” said Minister Pokhrel. The committee has got six months to submit its report.

The object of forming the committee is said to be to restructure the education sector. Conclusion of the report will be included in the 15th five-year plan, which the National Planning Commission is working on.

The government also decided not to increase medical education fees for the ongoing academic year. Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to direct the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport to formulate laws and develop necessary infrastructure for effective operation of the Janakpur-Jayanagar-Kurtha railway.

The government also decided to shift the National Library, currently located in Pulchowk, to the Jana Prashashan Campus premises in Jamal. A new building will be constructed to develop a world-class library equipped with the latest technology. The library has not opened since its building was damaged in the April 2015 earthquake.