KATHMANDU, DEC 16 -
Former Home Minister and CPN-UML leader Bhim Rawal has strongly refuted media reports that the decision to hand over the modernisation and upgradation of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and the revamping of its immigration office to India was taken during his tenure.
Rawal, who was the home minister in the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government, said that he had not signed any confidential agreement with India during his term. Rawal further claimed that he had actually rejected the proposal of 'air marshal' when the Indian side proposed it during his India visit in 2010.
"The Indian government had requested for [permission to deploy its] air marshals citing that the TIA was not secure enough, to which I had objected and said we would do our best to upgrade the security system," Rawal said in a statement on Saturday, adding, "I had requested them to help in the technical aspect. However, there was no mention of any immigration office of any sort."
Rawal also stated that a team from New Delhi had visited Nepal for joint-inspection and evaluation with Home Ministry officials. "However, there was no agreement for handing over the management of immigration offices to India. I am strongly against it," Rawal stated.
Stating that the TIA upgradation decision was taken when Rawal led the Home Ministry, the incumbent government is preparing to hand over the TIA management to India. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha is, however, against the plan.
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