Nepal’s New Public Procurement Law Aims to End Corruption and Irregularities

The Government of Nepal has recently introduced the ‘Public Procurement (Second Amendment) Act, 2083’, which aims to end corruption and irregularities in the country’s development projects.

According to the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Sunil Lamsal, the new law will put an end to the practice of awarding contracts to the lowest bidder, which has led to many problems in the past.

The new law will ensure that contracts are awarded based on the quality of the work and the capability of the contractor, rather than just the lowest price.

The law also requires that the government ensures that the necessary funds are available for the project and that the site is ready before awarding the contract.

Additionally, the law makes it mandatory for contractors to provide a performance guarantee, which will ensure that they complete the project on time and to the required standard.

The new law also aims to promote the use of local materials and labor in development projects, which will help to boost the local economy.

Furthermore, the law requires that all payments to contractors and laborers be made through the banking system, which will help to reduce corruption and ensure that workers are paid fairly.

The law also provides for the establishment of a digital platform for public procurement, which will make the process more transparent and efficient.

However, some experts have expressed concerns that the law may not be effective in practice, as it will require significant changes in the way that government agencies and contractors operate.

Despite these challenges, the new law is seen as a positive step towards promoting transparency and accountability in Nepal’s development projects.