Online consular application system launched

Published On: January 28, 2017 01:00 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Lawmakers at a meeting of the parliament’s State Affairs Committee at Singhadurbar on Friday. The committee on Friday forwarded the Election Offence and Punishment Bill to parliament, which endorsed the bill on the same day. The bill bars political parties from accepting financial assistance or donation from the governmental and non-governmental agencies.

The online application system has different templates of application including making request for search and rescue of missing persons abroad, repatriating bodies of Nepali nationals killed abroad, expediting the process to claim compensation, and giving the power of attorney to other persons.

KATHMANDU, Jan 28: The Department of Consular Service (DoCS) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday launched online application system that allows service seekers to benefit from various consular services without visiting the office.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat launched the online application system amidst a function at the Department of Consular Services. The online application system has different templates of application including making request for search and rescue of missing persons abroad, repatriating bodies of Nepali nationals killed abroad, expediting the process to claim compensation, and giving the power of attorney to other persons.

The launch of the online application system helps end the hassles that may involve to visit Kathmandu just for filing an application for consular services. As many such service seekers may be visiting Kathmandu for the first time, they are accompanied by other relatives or family members, and they may have to stay in Kathmandu for several days not knowing exactly what they need to do.

The applicants can have their own usernames and passwords, and they can even check the progress made in their online application anytime. The status of their application is updated in the remarks section of the application itself.
Speaking after the launch of the online application system, Minister Mahat expressed confidence that the new initiative would be effective to make the consular services efficient and easily accessible to service seekers. He also asked service seekers to make best use of the online application system.

Also speaking on the occasion, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi said the launch of the online application system marks a big stride forward in the traditional working style of the bureaucracy.

Director General of the Department of Consular Service Gahendra Rajbhandari said the launch of the online application system is a part of a slew of reforms that he is seeking to bring at the Department of Consular Service. He argued that this system not only makes it easier for service seekers to access consular service but also makes concerned government officials accountable toward service seekers.