Nepal Government’s Home Delivery of Licenses and Passports: How Capable is the Postal Service?
Image Source, GENERAL POST OFFICE
The government’s announcement to deliver essential official documents such as vehicle licenses and passports directly to citizens’ homes via postal services has sparked significant interest.
Officials from the Passport Department and the Department of Transport Management have stated that, from their end, there are no obstacles to implementing this service.
The Director General of the Postal Service Department mentioned their prior experience handling such tasks and said that with some government resources provided, the work can proceed effectively.
The Cabinet meeting held on Chaitra 13 approved 100 action agendas concerning governance reforms, including this initiative.
Agenda item 27 states: “To provide government services at citizens’ doorsteps, modernize the postal service and develop it as the ‘Government Courier Service,’ enabling delivery of passports, citizenship copies, licenses, and other official documents directly to homes within 100 days.”
What Does the Passport Department Say?
Image Source, Getty Images
Currently, passports are distributed from the Passport Department office in Kathmandu and district administration offices across the country.
Passports available at district administration offices are dispatched from Kathmandu.
Director General Teerth Raj Aryal confirmed that if postal services take over delivery, they foresee no major issues.
“Similar services exist in other countries. With the development of our postal services, no significant problems are expected,” Aryal said.
Currently, the postal service delivers passports to 33 districts’ administration offices where the Passport Department has yet to establish a presence.
“It is necessary to clarify issues such as payment and delivery logistics when delivering directly to individuals,” he added.
“Additionally, deciding whether to launch service nationwide simultaneously or start with a pilot project in selected locations is essential.”
He believes that this service will make things easier for citizens who are often busy; even if it involves a small fee, door-to-door service will save both time and effort.
What About Licenses?
The Department of Transport Management currently informs service recipients via SMS when their vehicle licenses are ready.
Upon receiving the SMS, citizens visit the respective office to collect their licenses.
Information Officer Ganeshman Rai stated that license printing is currently done at the Security Printing Press.
He emphasized that before starting license delivery services, clear government directives are necessary.
“We need dedicated personnel once printed licenses are available for home delivery; this requires additional manpower and an agreement with the postal service,” Rai said.
“With clear guidance, sufficient manpower, and budget from the government, this can be implemented,” he added.
Currently, licenses are also printed for provinces, but clarity on how long the central office will continue printing is needed, Rai explained.
Our Experience
The Postal Service Department currently provides letter mail, express mail, and parcel services.
Director General Manamaya Bhattarai Pangeni stated they have been delivering passports in 33 districts through an agreement with the Passport Department.
Following an agreement with the Ministry of Land Management, the postal service also handles land ownership certificate deliveries and the transport of samples from the National Public Health Laboratory in Teku.
Postal officials mention handling private documents via parcels and government documents is not new to them.
“We are ready to work as per government directives. With necessary resources, our infrastructure stands prepared, and if the Passport and Transport Departments set up the required systems swiftly, we can fulfill these tasks,” said Director General Pangeni.
Department Managing Vehicle Logistics
Director General Pangeni explained that the Postal Service Department is operating with limited resources.
The Goshwara Postal Office is based in Kathmandu, supported by six directorates at various locations and district postal offices in 70 districts.
“We have offices in all 753 local units across the country and are present at 676 locations,” she said.
However, a shortage of vehicles significantly hampers postal operations. Before the Jangamul (JNG) movement, there were 17 pickup trucks operating outside Kathmandu, many of which were destroyed during the protests.
Currently, the postal department only has seven trucks, Pangeni disclosed.
“We have requested pickups from the Election Commission. If we receive 50 pickups, our service capacity will double,” she added.
Even if new vehicles are not immediately available, older vehicles could be provided. Due to shortages, the postal service sometimes uses public transportation for deliveries.
“However, transporting sensitive materials such as passports on public vehicles is inappropriate,” Director General Pangeni said.
Image Source, Manamaya Bhattarai Pangeni
International Services as Well
Director General Pangeni said that the Goshwara Postal Office in Kathmandu also manages postal services linked with foreign countries.
“We currently reach 92 destinations in 71 countries. Our express mail service is available to 39 countries,” she noted.
The Postal Service Department has agreements with Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways to provide international services.
“Due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, services to 18 countries are currently suspended but will resume once the situation normalizes,” she added.
Fees for express mail vary according to the destination country and weight of items.
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