KATHMANDU: Lokta Paper is assuming its old station after 11 years and work regarding its standards fixing is still on. Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM), is taking its time to fix the standards as Lokta paper is to be used for the citizenship certificates and therefore needs to have consistency.

According to NBSM, it will make improvements if any variations are observed in the previous standards and the new standards. “As the Nepali handmade paper standards have not yet been revised, the process is taking more time, and we are busy doing sample tests as we have to create consistency in the paper quality,” stated NBSM.

Nepali handmade paper was supposed to be used in government documentation and for making citizenship certificates from this New Year. But this time, the citizen certificates will be in card format unlike the earlier book format. NBSM had earlier approved the minimum standards of Nepali handmade paper presented by Nepal Hand Made Paper Association (HANDPASS) for Nepali citizenship cards.

Earlier, the first paper testing laboratory report was approved both by HANDPASS and NBSM. Along with the standards fixing, the Home Ministry while mentioning the minimum standards required for Lokta paper used for citizenship cards will ask for quotations after approval of the standards. Lokta paper was on the verge of extinction from the local level but a cabinet decision on March 9 approving the use of Nepali hand-made paper in government legal correspondence saved it.

Lokta paper in the early days used to be compulsory for government legal correspondence. After 1998 AD, the Minnistry of Land Reforms and the Home Ministry started using ivory paper for making property ownership certificates and certificates of citizenship i.e. passports, respectively.

For 11 years, the paper for these purposes was imported from foreign countries. Instead of handmade paper, white paper was used for preparation of property ownership certificate and ivory paper for passport. Handmade paper is popular all over the world because of its natural attractiveness, insect resistance, toughness and other special qualities.