KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a bill aimed at amending and consolidating the Nepal Police Act and the Armed Police Force Act. Submitted to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the bill was registered by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak after approval from the Council of Ministers.

The primary goals of the bill are to modernize police regulations, enhance public safety, improve governance, and make the police forces more professional, accountable, and gender-sensitive.

It also incorporates Supreme Court guidelines on police service conditions and aims to align police operations with the Constitution, democracy, and human rights principles.

Key provisions of the bill include removing the 30-year service limit for both Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. It also revises retirement policies, setting a 16-year service duration for office assistants and constables, while assistant constables and sub-inspectors will retire after 18 years.

The bill establishes an age limit of 60 years for the Inspector General of Police, with a three-year tenure, and sets the retirement age for the Additional Inspector General of Police at 59 years, also with a three-year term.

The bill proposes structural and administrative reforms to enhance police specialization and welfare.

It also aims to strengthen police operations at the provincial level in line with Nepal’s federal structure, incorporating international best practices for improved effectiveness. Additionally, it clarifies the roles of the Inspector General of Police, especially regarding appointments, duties, and promotions.

For the Armed Police Force, the bill expands its responsibilities in areas such as disaster management, border security, and crime control, ensuring that these roles align with the Constitution and human rights laws.

Joint Secretary Bharatmani Rijal from the Law Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed confidence that the bill would strengthen both police forces and enhance their operational efficiency.

Home Minister Lekhak noted that the bill replaces outdated provisions from the Police Act of 1955 and the Armed Police Act of 2001, aiming to make law enforcement more effective and improve service delivery.

If passed, the bill would provide a clear legal framework for Nepal’s policing system, ensuring that police organizations operate more efficiently and in accordance with constitutional principles.