N, 
I am not sure if you are following this issue well.  The issue is not about if we want a Machine Retable Passport (MRP) or not.  The main issue is that the gov of Nepal gave the contract to Indian company without the bidding process.  Here is a quote from today's Nepal News:
"The government lent the contract to Indian company at USD 4 per piece though the earlier bidders had proposed to supply at as low as USD 2.99 per piece. The government ignored the direction given by the Public Account Committee (PAC) of the parliament which had asked the government to follow proper bidding process to lend contract."
To me this looks like a straight corruption and the cost will be transferred to you and me.  I'll have no problem if Indian company prints it in $2.99, I just don't want to pay extra money to feed our corroupt poltician.