Kathmandu- The Prime Minister and ministers have got the right to set their own salaries. The Federal Parliament has amended the prevailing Act and given the right to set the salaries of the Prime Minister and ministers to the Council of Ministers.

President Ram Chandra Poudel has certified ‘Some Nepal Acts Amendment Bill’, which was passed by the Federal Parliament, on shrawan 14. With the certification of the bill, the Act on the Remuneration and Facilities of the Prime Minister and Ministers, 2049 BS, has been amended. This has given the right to set the salaries of the Prime Minister and ministers to the Council of Ministers.

In 2049 BS, an act was made by the then Legislative Assembly to determine the salaries and service facilities of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State, Assistant Minister. By amending the said Act, the government has made provision for the Council of Ministers to determine the salaries of the Prime Minister and ministers.

Section 3 of the Ministers’ Remuneration and Facilities Act, 2049 BS clearly stipulates the remuneration of the Prime Minister and ministers.

The amended Act provides that the Prime Minister and ministers will be paid the remuneration as specified by the Government of Nepal by publishing a notification in the Nepal Gazette. Since this bill has been ratified by the President, the government has now opened the way to take the necessary decision regarding the salaries of the Prime Minister and ministers from the Council of Ministers at any time.

In the past, when the Act was not amended, the government had been deciding on the review of the services, facilities, and remuneration of the Prime Minister and ministers through the Operational Act Directive.

The government last reviewed the salaries and benefits of the Prime Minister and ministers on 22 Magh 2077 BS. The eighth edition of the Work Operation Directive 2077 BS has published the arrangements for the remuneration of the Prime Minister and ministers. Which was approved on 22 Magh 2077 BS.

Now, according to the amended Act, the Prime Minister and ministers can make new decisions on their own through the Council of Ministers on how much their salaries will be.