Kathmandu: Indian and British Armies may no
longer be able to employ Gurkhas, known for their valour,
following a Nepalese government decision to eventually stop
their recruitment in foreign countries.
Nepal`s government has directed Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MoFA) and other concerned ministries to implement the
recommendations of a report that seeks to ultimately halt
Gurkha recruitments in foreign armies.
The Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
(OPMCM) have sent separate letters to various ministries on
March 9 directing them to initiate procedures for implementing
recommendations of the report, Nepal`s Foreign Policy in
Changed Context: 2012, saying it was endorsed by a House
panel.
The report approved by the Parliamentary Committee on
International Relations and Human Rights on December 26, 2011,
was later presented in the Legislature Parliament.
The report has drawn sharp criticism from Ex-Gurkha
organisations which have warned to launch protests if Gurkha
Recruitment Centres are shut down in Nepal, the Republica
reported.
Nepalese Gurkhas are mainly serving in Indian Army and
British Army.
The parliamentary report argues that although the Gurkha
recruitment gave the Nepali youths limited employment
opportunity, serving with foreign military had not allowed the
country to hold its head high.
"Nepal`s government is put on further loss after the
Britain decided to provide citizenship to Gurkha soldiers, and
the time has come to evaluate Nepal`s foreign policy in
regards to Gurkha recruitment," the parliamentary report said.
"Since the Gurkha recruitment will have to end eventually,
it is necessary to create alternatives to move forward the
process," it added.
The House Committee Chairman Padam Lal Bishwakarma
expressed satisfaction over the government`s willingness to
implement the report.
"The report has paved the way for inter-ministerial
service change and transfers of deserving candidates serving
in other concerned ministries to foreign service," he was
quoted by the daily as saying.
PTI
