Army numbers are not seen as absolute: Defense Minister Khadka

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has said that the number of Nepali Army is determined based on national needs and international environment, so the number should not be viewed as absolute.

Answering the questions raised about the Ministry of Defense and its subordinate agencies in the budget and program presented by the government for the year 2080/81, he clarified that the number will be determined based on the responsibilities entrusted by the constitution and laws and assigned by the government from time to time and the establishment of international peace and the geographical situation and severity of the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Khadka said, "It is relevant to analyze the number of the army taking into account the geographical location of the country, the international security environment, the needs of the country and the important responsibilities that the army is performing in the national and international arena."

Stating that the number of the army is determined by the government on the recommendation of the National Security Council, he said that the army will be made capable, strong and strengthened according to the needs of the country. Asserting that the army is always alert, alert and ready to fulfill the responsibilities given by the constitution, Deputy Prime Minister Khadka mentioned that in the changing security environment of the world, every nation has to face its own security challenges and threats.

Stating that security challenges such as external attacks, internal conflicts, terrorism, economic crisis, and epidemics are causing difficulties in human life, Minister Khadka expressed the view that security challenges are also increasing due to climate change and the resulting natural disasters and epidemics.

He said, "In order to address all kinds of security challenges, the National Security Policy has been approved and its implementation is currently being implemented through an action plan." Deputy Prime Minister Khadka mentioned that political parties, society, community, government agencies and other organizations need to have a common understanding and common opinion on a sensitive and profound issue like national security and said that it is equally inevitable to move forward from a broader national perspective to deal with national security.

He said, "Because national security policy is the main and sensitive policy of the country, the government is committed to moving forward by maintaining mutual harmony between economic policy, foreign policy and other policies."

The government has informed that the National Defense University has been advanced with policy arrangements to establish an educational institution for regular study, teaching and research on national security, national security policy and strategy, external and internal security challenges of the nation, regional and international security environment, etc.

Kathmandu Terai-Madhes Expressway Corridor

Deputy Prime Minister Khadka informed that the 72.5 km expressway project connecting Kathmandu with Terai-Madhes in a short distance has been advanced through international bidding by making 13 packages.

He said, "Until now, contracts for seven packages have been signed and construction is underway. Tenders for three packages have been published and are in the evaluation stage. The rest of the package drawing, design work has been progressed.”

By the end of May of the current year, the physical progress of the project is 23.45 and the financial progress is 25.4. So far, 44 billion 90 million has been spent on the project. For the year 2080/81, Rs 22.5 billion has been allocated.

Deputy Prime Minister Khadka said that the Government of Nepal is committed to complete the construction of the project on time, which will have a far-reaching impact on the economic and social development of the country. Khandbari-Kimathanka road (Chamtang-Ghonghappa section), Benighat-Arughat-Larkevnjang road, Karnali corridor (Lalibgarh-Dullikunna and Ghatparichaur-Badrigaon-Bhukkakhola section) road, Darchula Tinkar (Tusharapani-Tinkar section) road under the management of the army. are happening

Army in Nature Conservation

The army has been doing the work of forest and environmental protection, national parks and wildlife reserves, mountain cleaning, protection of archeologically important structures, protection of ruins and other natural resources for a long time.

Defense Minister Khadka informed the House that eight war gangs, seven unsheltered Gulms have been deployed and around 10,000 manpower has been deployed to protect 12 national parks, one wildlife reserve and one hunting reserve out of the country's 20 protected areas.

The government has informed that the army is producing small arms ammunition, bullets and explosives from factories located in Bhimfedi and Sunachari in Makwanpur and Swayambhu and Sundarijal in Kathmandu.

Disaster management

Deputy Prime Minister Khadka informed that the army has been making a significant contribution in search, rescue, relief distribution and temporary rehabilitation management in natural disasters and other accidents.

The government has said that various programs are being conducted by prioritizing the plan to enhance the disaster management capacity of the army to make the search, relief and rescue operations effective and efficient.

Bunker to Wreck

Three thousand seven hundred 22 physical structures have been completed out of five thousand eight hundred and fifty structures to be built for the purpose of providing basic housing facilities to the general ranks of the army. A budget of Rs 1 billion 80 crore has been allocated for the program in the year 2080-81.

Meanwhile, the army has been conducting the youth development program to create a disciplined, dignified, moral, creative, dutiful, and responsible youth workforce to awaken the spirit of national unity and loyalty and to support the all-round development of the nation. The program of National Service Dal is running in all 77 districts.

Defense Minister Khadka informed the House that the government is committed to managing the necessary resources and facilities to efficiently fulfill the responsibilities given by the constitution while modernizing and modernizing the army.