German firms halt passport service in Nepal over unpaid dues

Department of Passport. File photo

KATHMANDU: The passport distribution server at the Department of Passports went down on Thursday, halting biometric services for applicants. The disruption follows the government’s failure to make payments to two German companies, Veridos and Muhlbauer, as per their contract agreements.

The two companies were awarded contracts for the supply, personalization, and distribution of 6.4 million e-passports. According to the agreements, Veridos is owed approximately Rs 400 million, while Muhlbauer is owed about Rs 820 million. Government officials have cited a pending case at the Special Court and directives from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority as reasons for withholding the payments.