Kathmandu [Nepal], September 18 – The State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives has proposed making military service voluntary for individuals trained under the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
The committee presented its report on the NCC Bill to the House on Thursday after endorsing it following a general discussion on the report prepared by its subcommittee. Committee Chair Hari Dhakal presented the report.
Under the proposed provision people trained through the NCC cannot be compelled to serve in the military solely because they have received such training.
The report however allows trained volunteers to be mobilised for national service with the government required to inform both Houses of the Federal Parliament about such mobilisation. The government must also submit details of trained individuals who are subsequently mobilised.
The committee retained a provision allowing individuals and organisations other than students to receive NCC training based on national needs.
It also added a provision stating that the NCC would be civilian and non-military in nature and removed the requirement for serving military officers to conduct training.
The committee revised the NCC Board’s composition retaining the Defence Minister as chairperson and requiring representation of at least one woman employee at special-class or equivalent level.
The bill aims to promote patriotism, discipline, public service and national unity among students while preparing volunteers for disaster management, infrastructure development and pandemic control.
