KATHMANDU, 12 September 2021, (TON): Newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Prabhuram Sharma has outlined vision, priorities and work plan after assuming leadership of the Nepal Army (NA) at a program organized at NA Headquarters.

Addressing the program, he urged the NA ranks to remain prepared to protect and promote national interests through effective discharge of constitutional duties. He said he would seek to develop the NA as a timely, transformative, capable, dynamic and effective organization keeping in mind existing and potential challenges.

He also unveiled a policy to raise the living standards of NA personnel and dependents through expanded welfare work.

He said that the military textbooks would be reviewed while formulating and validating the national military strategy in line with the national defense policy. He said the successful implementation of 3 Plus 1 Command would be carried out on the basis of these policies, strategies and texts.

He also elaborated on expanding and improving access to education and health services within the organization.

He said that special initiative would be taken to complete the construction of Kathmandu-Terai Expressway, a project of national pride, within the stipulated time.

The COAS announced that the NA would be developed as a reliable and credible institution by increasing its qualitative participation in the United Nations Mission.