Kathmandu, February 9
The government on Sunday registered a bill to amend the Army Act at the Federal Parliament Secretariat. If the legislative body endorses the bill as it is now, the Nepal Army can establish its own intelligence unit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokharel submitted the bill that also proposes establishing an army intelligence service. A source in the national military organisation says the organisation pushed the government for such a provision as it would strengthen the army’s defence competence.
Minister Pokharel says many military bodies in the world have their own intelligence bodies, hence it has been deemed necessary in Nepal also. However, some stakeholders have viewed that it is not necessary.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Upendra Yadav says he had returned this bill to the Ministry of Defence while he was the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Yadav claims the bill is against the constitution.
