Scrap MRP deal with India: UML

KATHMANDU - The CPN-UML has urged the government to scrap its decision to award the contract of Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) to an Indian government undertaking.

A meeting of the UML Parliamentary Party meeting held here on Sunday concluded that the government decision is against the line of Public Procurement Act and should correct it.

According to UML General Secretary Ishwor Pokharel, the meeting concluded that fresh tender bid should be called for the MRP printing by scarping the old decision.

“We have decided to recommend to the government to cancel the MRP printing contract given to India, as it is against both, the international practice and the public procurement act”, said Pokhrel.

A joint meeting of the UML standing committee and the parliamentary party on Saturday had also criticised the government on various issues.

Earlier, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the government has awarded the contract for political and diplomatic reasons.

He also said the government had failed to move ahead with a decision of the PAC tender process due to time constraints.

The government lent the contract to Indian company at four dollar per piece though the earlier bidders had proposed to supply at as low as 2.99 per piece dollar.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Nepal’s Parliament has already objected to the decision. Nepalnews reported. (ANI)