Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has announced that the abolition of trade unions and party flags aims to create a cleaner, freer, and more professional environment in bureaucracy and academia. “Banning party flags in schools and bureaucracy will not seize rights of students and employees, but strengthens professional freedoms,” Shah stated in a social media post. He argued that party politics, deeply entrenched in universities and bureaucratic systems for a long time, has impaired education and administration, and the removal of party symbols will enhance rights and professional freedoms.
According to National News Agency Nepal, PM Shah highlighted that many journalists, leaders, activists, businessmen, and the general public have long contended that political influence has deteriorated university education and bureaucratic integrity. Such organizations have become “sleeper cells” of political parties, adversely affecting students and employees. Shah emphasized that undue political influence undermines qualifications and promotes sycophancy over competence, eroding public trust in the system.
The Prime Minister clarified that it is not due to the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s (RSP) inability to form organizations in academia and bureaucracy but rather a commitment to enhancing quality in universities and respecting employee dignity. “If RSP wants, it can easily form its organization in no time, but adding another organization does not bring reform as the past suggests,” Shah, a senior leader of RSP, reminded.
He further stated that civil employee transfers and promotions should be based on procedure, competence, and delivery, not party affiliation. “Our effort is entirely for creating opportunity for students to learn from teachers than from politics, and not from mob of political leaders,” Shah said, urging employees to adhere to rules rather than seek protection from political leaders.
Shah also mentioned that while students can learn politics, it should be integrated with culture, thoughts, and responsibility. He reminded employees to serve citizens rather than political parties.
PM Shah clarified that the government’s move is not a confrontation against any party but an attempt to protect the system and ensure a future free of party control, focusing on institutional reforms. “This is a move to free the education system and bureaucracy from party’s undue influence. We brought ordinances to remove such ills as per your wish,” Shah declared.
He called for public support and trust in these efforts, emphasizing that change requires decisive action rather than mere speeches. “We are in the government to deliver as per your wishes. Be sure, whatever we do, we do in favour of the Nepali people,” Shah concluded.