Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Facing a nationwide shortage of electronic passports (e-passports), the government has decided to procure 700,000 additional units from the same French supplier whose previous contract had already been cancelled. The move comes as an interim measure to avoid further disruption in passport issuance, which has affected thousands of applicants across the country.
Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel informed that Friday’s Cabinet meeting authorized the Department of Passports to purchase the passports through a variation order from the existing supplier until a new contract becomes operational.
The decision follows mounting pressure on the government after prolonged shortages and slowed processing of e-passports. Despite the earlier termination of the agreement with the French company, the government has opted for short-term procurement from the same firm citing urgent necessity.
Delegation Approved for Nepal–Bangladesh Energy Cooperation Meeting
The Cabinet also approved a delegation led by Energy Secretary Chiranjivi Chataut to participate in the 7th meeting of the Nepal–Bangladesh Joint Working Group and Joint Steering Committee on Energy Cooperation, scheduled to take place in Dhaka on Mangsir 10 and 11.
The meeting is expected to discuss cross-border power trade, transmission line connectivity, and long-term energy partnerships between the two countries.
New Appointment in Lumbini Development Bodies
The government has appointed Dipak Shrestha as the Member Secretary of both the Lumbini Development Trust and the Lumbini Development Council. The position had remained vacant for months, affecting decision-making and project execution in the Lumbini heritage zone.
Promotions in Nepal Army
The Cabinet meeting also decided to promote one Major General to the rank of Lieutenant General and one Brigadier General to the rank of Major General under special promotion arrangements. The names of the promoted officers have not yet been disclosed.
Approval for Consumer and Child Courts’ Organizational Structure
In another decision, the government approved the organizational structure and staffing (तेरिज) for Consumer Courts and Child Courts aimed at strengthening access to justice in consumer rights and child protection cases.
Approval for Participation in Women’s Seminar in Lhasa
The meeting also granted approval to Rina Rana, a member of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission, to participate in a women’s seminar scheduled to be held in Lhasa, China, from Mangsir 8 to 12.
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