In a step enhancing Nepal\u2019s portfolio on a global stage, the Nepali Embassy in the United States is planning a \u2018biggie\u2018 for its Nepali Ambassador Arjun Karki in Washington DC.<\/p>\n
Nepali Embassy Spokesperson Jeevan Prakash Shrestha revealed the Embassy\u2019s plans to buy a new residence in a recent statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government of Nepal has asked the Embassy to buy a new residence as the present residence doesn\u2019t have space for parties and meetings,\u201d says Shrestha.<\/p>\n
As the reports say, the proposed residential property (nearly 10,000 sq.ft. area) is going to be costlier than the ex-US President Barack Obama\u2019s new house purchased last year.<\/p>\n
To our surprise, it is most likely to be a whopping USD 7.25 million worth property after the mandatory 3 percent closing fee set by the US Government for every buyer!<\/p>\n
Some other sources from the Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) say the property cost is about USD 8 million with USD 20,000 maintenance cost per month.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the property\u2019s cost, Shrestha explained that they would not go beyond the government\u2019s budgetary allocation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe house we are planning to buy is a bit expensive because only a few houses meeting the government criteria were available in the area,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
Responding to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) Nepal, Shrestha clarified that there are no plans to buy residences for staffers anytime soon.<\/p>\n
As the sources say, the Embassy had published a procurement tender notice in 2017 itself and the process is currently at a conclusion stage.<\/p>\n
However, the move is still under government\u2019s perusal. \u201cWhy not buy an apartment at around US$ 740,000 to 925,000 (80 to 100 million rupees) to save the cost? What is the motive behind buying an 8-9 million dollars residence when there is already a four-story residence?\u201d MoFA asked the Embassy citing Office of the Auditor General (OAG) report.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Ambassador is residing in a four-story residence at the heart of Washington DC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a step enhancing Nepal\u2019s portfolio on a global stage, the Nepali Embassy in the United…<\/span><\/p>\n