Kathmandu: The Nepalese government after tabling the Nepal Special Service Bill, which allows the National Intelligence Department to surveil citizens has now drafted a bill that will allow the Nepal Army to form a similar intelligence department.

The bill to amend the Nepal Army Act 2006 envisions an “intelligence service” within the national defence force. The current Act allows the Army to only conduct intelligence work, with no provisions for intelligence service, for which a separate regulation will be required, The Kathmandu Post reported.

“The amendment is necessary to make intelligence activities more effective so that the Nepal Army can perform its duties as envisioned in the Constitution of Nepal,” said Ishwar Pokhrel, the minister for defence, in a note registered at the federal parliament with the bill.

Currently, the Army has a Directorate of Military Intelligence, led by a major general, which reports to the Chief of Army Staff. The intelligence service will mean a separate entity within the Army, apart from the Directorate of Military Intelligence, and staff for this will be hired from the infantry. Its mandate, however, will be defined by a new regulation.