Government Tables National Defence University, Engineering Bills in House

The government has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to establish a National Defence University and set up a dedicated regulatory council for diploma engineers. Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam tabled the defence university bill on behalf of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Balendra Shah, stating that legal grounding is needed as physical construction of the campus in Banepa approaches completion.

According to the draft legislation reported by Onlinekhabar and Gorkhapatra, the university will operate as an autonomous statutory body with the prime minister serving as chancellor. The measure accords significant authority to military leadership: a committee headed by the Chief of the Army Staff will recommend the vice-chancellor and registrar, while an active Major General will lead the constituent National Defence College. The university will also be empowered to affiliate existing security and intelligence academies.

Separately, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Development Sunil Lamsal tabled the Diploma Engineering Council Bill 2083 to oversee technical standards, register credentials, and enforce codes of conduct for diploma engineers.