The MRPs India was supposed to supply to Nepal were only first generation ones, using laminate technology. Nepal will have to introduce e-passports -- which are third generation MRPs-- after five years. [break]
A question now arises: If Nepal needs to go for e-passports by November 25, 2015 as per the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), why not introduce e-passports right away?
Officials at MoFA, however, said that the government cannot introduce e-passports right now. Nor can it introduce MRPs with polycarbonate technology-- or second generation MRPs.
The second and third generation MRPs are expensive. They fear public protests if the price of such passports are high in view of the fact that the ministry had received an offer as low as US$ 2.99 per passport. Such an offer had come when the government was in talks with India in January.
E-passports and polycarbonate passports cost more than the cheap offer the ministry received, said the officials.
Secondly, e-passports involve sophisticated technology. There is a need to study the security aspects before such passports are adopted. But the ministry does not have the time to study security concerns over such passports as the MRPs should be introduced by August 1. This means limited time will not allow the ministry to choose e-passports and call bids from interested parties, officials said.
As per the rescheduled deadline, Nepal is required to introduce MRPs by August 1. Originally, Nepal was supposed to introduce the MRPs from April 1 as per its commitment to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency.
In addition, e-passports need biometric data. But such data is not ready with Nepal, said the official.
"So we have only one option left: introduce the first generation MRPs for the time being," said the official, requesting anonymity.
While canceling the deal with India, the cabinet on Sunday had directed MoFA to begin a new bidding process as soon as possible. But the process will not begin until the Supreme Court settles the controversy over the deal, the official said. The controversy is currently under consideration by the apex court.
The ministry, however, is all prepared to start the new bidding process in view of the fast approaching deadline for introducing MRPs.
"We are already in touch with experts concerned to prepare the bidding documents but cannot being the process until the court gives us a go-ahead," said the official.
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