Kathmandu, December 15

Chief of Army Staff Rajendra Chhetri today said 45 per cent of weapons with the Nepali Army have become obsolete and need to be replaced.

In a report submitted to the State Affairs Committee of Legislature-Parliament, Chhetri said the NA had come to this situation as it had not been allowed to procure arms and ammunition since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in November 2006.

He presented an estimated cost of Rs 8.66 billion to replace all out-of-date weapons, and requested the SAC to do the needful to provide Rs 1 billion annually for the purpose.

Chhetri also said NA was only the institution where people from all social groups and castes had been incorporated. The NA comprises 58.45 per cent Bhramin/Chhetris, 27.90 per cent indigenous people, 6.99 per cent of Madhesis, 6.60 per cent of Dalits and 0.45 percent others.

The House panel had summoned Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence and CoAS Chhetri to inquire about tasks carried out by the Ministry of Defence and the Nepali Army this year.

Saying that the current force was built keeping in view the five development regions, the CoAS said the national army needs more human resources, physical infrastructures as well as military equipment in the federal setup.

Stating that some 1,109 infrastructures were destroyed or damaged by the earthquake in April and May, he also demanded Rs 4.83 billion for their reconstruction.

DPM Rawal informed the House panel that the government was in the process of formulating National Security Policy and National Security Council Act as per the provisions of the new Constitution.

The SAC, on its part, directed the government to formulate the National Security Policy and restructure the Nepali Army as per the new federal setup.