Row over Galil rifle procurement
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KATHMANDU, June 18: Responding to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament over the controversy surrounding import of Galil rifles and its parts from Israel, the Nepal Army (NA) on Tuesday said it can purchase arms through embassies with consent from the government.
PAC had sought clarification from the Ministry of Defense and the Nepal Army over the purchase of weapons from abroad without competitive bidding.
According to an official at the Ministry of Defense, NA has clearly said that it was not necessary to issue tender notice as Galil rifles are manufactured by IWI only. However, in the fiscal year 2071/072, the IWI Company was not in the list of companies that produce Galil rifles.
Citing a procedure for the purchase of defense and security related items, NA said, "Any arms and ammunition, which are not manufactured by the listed companies, can be purchased via respective embassies." After receiving the rates, NA on May 19 received permission from the Ministry of Defense to procure the rifles.
Similarly, the financial and technical proposal from IWI was opened in the presence of Israeli Ambassador Yaron Mayer on June 3 and was evaluated by respective NA official.
According to a Ministry source, the government had allocated Rs 346.84 million for the purchase rifles for the special force of Nepal Army. However, the number and caliber of weapons were kept secret for security reasons.
According to financial and technical proposal sent by IWI, NA was preparing to purchase over 1,000 weapons, which cost USD 1,800 to 2,400 per set. PAC will discuss the NA response on Friday.
