KATHMANDU: The Home Ministry has issued a clarification on the use of old map of Nepal seen in the decorations and medals conferred on various personalities by the President on April 9.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari conferred honorary tiles, decorations and medals on various personalities Friday.

The media, general public and civil society marked the use of old map in the titles yesterday and questions were raised on the government and even protests were held in the capital today.

Issuing a press release Saturday, the Home Ministry addressed the concerns raised since yesterday.

According to the ministry, the honors conferred on Friday were supposed to be distributed on April 1, 2020 (Baisakh 1st, 2077 BS). The distribution could not take place due to COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of announcement, preparation and distribution of the honors, the map had not been updated.  Therefore, the old map used in the honors yesterday was the legitimate map of Nepal at that time.

It has also stated that titles declared after the map was updated have been incorporated with the new map. The new titles will be conferred on April 14, 2021 (Baisakh 1st, 2078 BS).