Magar was barred from flying to Germany after officials at the Abu Dhabi airport in United Arab Emirates (UAE) found him traveling without visa. He was allowed to fly to Germany only after the minister acquired visa for the country with help from officials of the Nepal Embassy in UAE.[break]
SAC Chairman Ramnath Dhakal announced at the meeting that the committee will summon the home secretary and immigration chief, among other officials, and grill them over the matter on Tuesday.
The decision was taken after lawmakers at the meeting expressed serious concern over lax security at the country´s only international airport. The SAC oversees the home and defense ministries, among others.
“This incident should not be taken as a minor human error. It indicates that serious security blunders are taking place at the international airport and we have to thoroughly investigate into the matter,” committee member and former tourism minister Pradeep Gyawali said at the meeting.
Other lawmakers, including Jagdish Narsingh KC, Sudarshan Baral, Kali Bahadur Malla, Chitra Bahadur KC, Lila Nyaichyai, Prativa Rana, Nilam Khadka and Parshu Ram Ramtel echoed Gyawali. They also demanded that the officials, who allowed the minister to travel without thoroughly checking his documents, be punished.
Subcommittees given more time
Earlier, the SAC meeting extended the deadline given to four subcommittees formed to probe various issues to April 17.
The subcommittee headed by Gyawali is investigating into the sale by Nepal Army of old weapons, another headed by Arjun Joshi is studying road accidents and traffic problems.
Similarly, the subcommittee headed by Pampha Bhusal is studying irregularities in the promotion and transfer of police and other security officials while another subcommittee headed by Pratibha Rana is studying violence and discrimination against women.
The proposal to extend the deadline was endorsed at the meeting as members from each subcommittee informed the meeting about their work progress and sought more time for the completion of their tasks.
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