Kathmandu: The number of government officials assigned to welcome or send off VVIPs and VIPs at the airport has been reduced following recent amendments to the VVIP and VIP Security Management Work Procedures. This change comes as part of efforts to streamline and enhance the efficiency of official protocols during such events.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the amendment was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and approved by the Council of Ministers just four days ago. The Ministry has confirmed that the revised procedures are already in effect, coinciding with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s official visit to China.
Dil Kumar Tamang, Information Officer at the Ministry, explained that the number of officials present at the VVIP lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport has been decreased for occasions when the President, Vice President, or Prime Minister depart for or return from international visits. This amendment aims to improve the management and effectiveness of these ceremonial send-
offs and receptions, as observed during the Prime Minister’s departure to China.
The new procedure stipulates the presence of 14 officials, including the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Home Minister, at the airport for the President’s international travel. Previously, the protocol required 23 officials. Furthermore, access to the mini carcade from the VVIP lounge has been reduced from 13 to nine officials for the President’s travels.
Similarly, the number of officials accompanying the Vice President has been reduced. Earlier, 12 officials including the Prime Minister were present at the VVIP lounge for the Vice President’s foreign visits. This has now been reduced to seven, with access to the mini carcade cut from seven to four officials. The updated procedure specifies that only the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Secretary at the Office of the Vice President, and Chief of Protocol will be present at the airport during the Vice President’s official international travel.
For the Prime Mi
nister’s foreign visits, the amended procedure allows for the presence of 12 officials, including the Acting Prime Minister, at the airport. These changes reflect the government’s commitment to reducing administrative overhead while maintaining the necessary protocol for high-level international engagements.