KATHMANDU, Jan 2: Lawmaker Amaresh Kumar Singh speaking in parliament on Tuesday questioned the government's recent decision to award an agent of Chinese firm Huawei to set up a video conferencing system at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Singh, a lawmaker from the Nepali Congress drew the attention of the legislature toward the government decision saying that the contract was awarded through direct negotiations and without soliciting competitive bids.

"The government awarded the contract to the Chinese firm to set up a video conferencing system in a war-room at the PMO without soliciting competitive bids. In In making the decision, there is no intention of the PMO officials other than to earn money," said the lawmaker.

Alleging that Huawei is facing data theft charges in the United States and Canada, Singh sought the assurance of data security from the government.

"Prime Minister's Office is a very sensitive place in terms of national security. The company has been fined in Canada and banned in the US allegedly for data theft. Who will be responsible if PMO data are leaked?" questioned Singh.

Singh also demanded formation of a joint parliamentary committee to probe the Nepal Airlines aircraft purchase scam. Claiming that massive irregularities were committed in the process of purchasing the aircraft, Singh demanded that the current government should resign on moral grounds for causing losses worth billions of rupees to the state coffers.

 
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