Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand asserted that the government had paid attention to enhancing capacity of the Nepali Army (NA) rather than considering increasing its number.

Minister Khand said so while responding to questions raised by parliamentarians on the heading of appropriation related to Ministry of Defence on the behalf of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba who is also is also the Defense Minister.

Minister Khand reiterated, "The government is more attentive towards qualitative growth of Nepali Army than quantitative growth. The government is effortful to well equip NA and to provide all necessary machineries."

Pointing out the need to devise favorable structure to fulfill the constitutional and legal responsibilities given to NA, he appreciated the recommendations coming from the parliamentarians on making NA more professional.

According to him, NA was being mobilized in special type of construction works which cannot be carried out normally given the geographical difficulties of the country and defense related concerns.

Furthermore, the Minister said that any explosive materials used in development works were managed in direct scrutiny of the NA. Armies have been mobilized in special kind of development works and during disasters for rescue, relief and resettlement operation among others.

So far, NA has completed construction of 30 roads in difficult geographical terrains. Works were ongoing to materialize the Kathmandu-Terai Fast Track by dividing the construction process in 11 sections, said Minister Khand.

Khand informed that NA constructed seven holding shelters during COVID-19 pandemic and managed 2,033 dead bodies caused by COVID-19. A total of 8,625 NA personnel were infected with COVID-19 and 12 succumbed to the flu-like infection, shared the Minister.

Under disaster management, over 4,000 disaster survivors were rescued by NA, over 3,000 snake-bitten patients were treated, 138 expecting mothers and new mothers were rescued and fire controlled in 269 places.

Likewise, 33,877 kilo grammes of wastes have been collected by NA from various high mountains under the Clean Himalaya Campaign, said the Minister.

As for the American government's State Partnership Programme (SPP), the government had already decided not to take forward it, the Minister responded to the parliamentarians, stating that the incumbent government was firm towards not allowing its soil against its neighbour countries.

Currently, there are 96,477 posts in NA that was restructured in 2078 BS, the Minister appraised the parliamentarians.

Published Time: 02:40 AM