Nepal, Sept. 21 -- The government is preparing to end Parliament's current monsoon session while its proposed Federal Civil Service Bill, which could force large numbers of employees to retire, remains outside the House.

The government has placed the bill at the top of its list of legislative priorities. It had been expected during this session, but there is little sign it will be registered before Parliament closes. That has raised concern among civil servants that the government may introduce the law through an ordinance, bypassing a parliamentary debate.

The draft would require civil servants to retire once they reach 55 or complete 30 years of service. According to Law Ministry officials, the age provision would affect employees bo...