KATHMANDU, July 3: The high-level committee formed to study and resolve problems related to immigration and visit visas has decided not to investigate issues of irregularities.
It has been revealed that the government did mandate the committee to investigate irregularities, which limits the committee's role to mere submission of a report with policy suggestions. The committee, which started its work on Wednesday, was formed under the leadership of former Chief Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi, following a decision made by the Council of Ministers on June 23.
A high-level study and investigation committee was formed to address long-standing problems related to immigration and visit visas. The committee includes joint secretaries from six different ministries. Its scope of work is to study and investigate immigration management, visit visas, and other visa-related issues without affecting the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). The committee has been tasked with submitting a report along with suggestions within three months.
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The committee will study, analyze, and fact-check issues related to immigration management, visit visas, and the overall travel process of people going abroad for various purposes. Based on this, it will propose short-term and long-term action plans for policy, legal, and structural reforms to help solve the problems.
To make travel easier for people going abroad or entering Nepal for various purposes, the committee will review existing laws, regulations, procedures, and standards related to immigration management and visit visas. If needed, it will suggest revisions or drafts for amendments. It will also provide suggestions, including proposals, to improve the current structural arrangements and staff management in immigration services.
Likewise, the committee will suggest improvements needed to enhance coordination and cooperation among related agencies to prevent problems in immigration management. It will study best international practices related to immigration and travel facilitation and recommend those that can be adapted to Nepal’s context.
The committee will also study the problems faced by people traveling on visit, working, and other types of visas, including the issues that arise when individuals stay abroad illegally. Based on this, it will recommend measures to prevent such problems.
In addition, the committee will provide suggestions to make the immigration system more technology-friendly, simple, fast, and efficient. It will also recommend ways to better define the roles of stakeholder agencies involved in the arrival and departure of people to and from Nepal.
The committee will also suggest measures to properly secure and maintain accurate records of immigration arrivals and departures. Currently, the committee’s office is located in the building of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology in Babarmahal.
