City
Epaper

Nepal Army amending law for commercial activities

By IANS | Published: August 10, 2019 11:12 AM

Despite mounting criticism that the Nepal Army was increasingly getting involved in commercial activities not befitting the armed forces, the national defence force is amending a law to allow it to invest in commercial ventures as a promoter, furthering its entry into business.

Open in App

The Nepal Army Act 2006 acts as a legal barrier for the Army's investment in mega projects like hydropower, or in the banking sector, reports The Kathmandu Post.

Though the Army is currently making millions annually out of the deposits it has in various commercial and development banks, top officials have expressed dissatisfaction with the returns.

An amendment to the Nepal Army Act would give it leeway to make investments in businesses that yield high returns.

Judge Advocate General Ranta Prakash Thapa, who is in charge of the Army's legal department, said that the amendment will allow the national defence force to invest as a promoter.

"But there will also be a clause making it mandatory to obtain the government's consent before making any such investment," The Kathmandu Post quoted Thapa as saying at a press conference on Friday.

The Army has been pushing the government to make an amendment to the Act for the past few years and it has also prepared an amendment draft.

Once the amendment is approved, it can invest without preconditions, like any other private entity.

The Army's current investment is in areas including fuel pumps, schools, medical colleges and bottled water companies, all of which it says provide benefits for the Army itself and hence, are not purely commercial ventures.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Nepal ArmyKathmandu Post
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalNepal President Paudel expresses grief over loss of lives in helicopter crash

InternationalSearch team recovers all bodies from Nepal helicopter crash site

PoliticsNo projects under China’s BRI have moved ahead in Nepal, says foreign minister

NationalMarried Pak woman meets Noida man through PUBG; lands in India with 4 kids

Other SportsODI WC Qualifiers: Dipendra Singh Airee leads Nepal to tight three-wicket win over UAE

International Realted Stories

InternationalUS-China trade war deepens as tariff exclusions end on hundreds of Chinese products

InternationalSchools built with India's financial assistance inaugurated in Nepal's Dang district

InternationalGerman resort bar takes legal action after outrage at Nazi-era racist chants

InternationalAustralian minister urges Israel to abide by ICJ Rafah ruling

InternationalFour injured, one arrested after clashes at Iran protest in London