The deal between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oberthur Technologies – the French security printer that bagged the multi-million MRP printing project tender after an earlier tender with Security and Minting Corporation India was scrapped earlier this year – had to be signed on Aug 9 but FM Koirala’s refusal to approve the insignias has brought the process to a screeching halt forcing many Nepalis to suspect that Nepal might have to go begging on ICAO’s doorstep again to seek a third extension. That would indeed be shameful and reflect poorly on Nepal’s ability to get things done.
If there is a valid reason behind FM Koirala’s refusal, she must share it with the public. Her inability or refusal to do so would only give credence to the public view that she still wants India, for whom she had lobbied very hard, to print our MRPs. If that is indeed the case, it is unfortunate because it was her own government that had scrapped the deal with the Indian company following a directive from the Public Accounts Committee. Moreover, bringing obstacles in the way of the French firm that won the tender through a competitive bidding process following all legal norms is not something that anyone would expect from a foreign minister (in this case, also the deputy prime minister) of a country. Koirala’s act and motive are questionable, to say the least.
In the absence of MRPs, Nepalis already face a lot of problems, and sometimes humiliation as well, when they travel abroad. In the event that we are unable to introduce MRPs by Jan 1, next year, and ICAO refuses to extend the deadline once again, hundreds of Nepalis who leave for foreign shores either for work or study will be deeply inconvenienced. The shameful MRP episode that has been unfolding since the past many months has already made a deep dent in Nepal’s reputation in the eyes of the international community. This must not happen again. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal must intervene and seek an explanation from FM Koirala and clear the coast for a timely signing of the agreement and delivery of MRPs.
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