Develop Telecom as leading institution: Minister Baskota

-RSS

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gokul Baskota, has said Nepal Telecom needs to be developed as the leading and unchallenged institution. 

During a programme organized on its 15th anniversary in the capital city on Tuesday, Minister Baskota suggested the Nepal Telecom that it ensured quality service to the people with extensive utilization of its strength. "Many people have trusted Nepal Telecom, but it seems it has not fully utilized its potential, thereby avoiding its responsibility. It must keep intact its image of 'No 1 institution'." 

Indicating the delayed expansion of 4G service, he viewed the projects of long term significance should be expedited. "I'm tired of furnishing responses at parliamentary committee on 4G, so acceleration of this project is imperative," he underscored.

The Minister however said the projects as of 4G and optical fibres have signaled that reform in Telecom. It should not only be a profit making company but the one working for public. 

Reminding that Telecom is the backbone of country's prosperity, the Minister urged it to accomplish 4G expansion project within a year. Telecom's service must be quality and effective. 

As the Minister said a separate infrastructure company would be set up Telecom. The company would set up under the leadership of the Telecom, he added. 

Moreover, the Minister Baskota, who is also the Spokesperson of the government, said the government was for the partnership with people in terms of strategic partnership at Telecom. People can also invest in telecom, he suggested. 

Ministry Secretary Mahendraman Gurung pointed out the need of making the communications service people-oriented and effective by utilizing all the capacity as important projects of telecom are in the phase of implementation. 

He said, “Important projects are being forwarded. It is necessary to complete the projects like—4G, optical fibre on the slated timeframe.” 

Similarly, officiating Chairperson of Nepal Telecom Authority, Purushottam Khanal, laid the emphasis on the need of making the telecom service accessible to the people of the remote areas after making it reliable. 

Presenting the progress details of the Telecom, Managing Director of the Telecom, Dilliram Adhikari, stressed the need of making telecom service qualitative and accessible while representative of Telecom Employees Trade Union, Raj Bahadur Rawal, expressed the view that attention should be paid in career development along with strengthening of telecom service. 
On the occasion, the Telecom honoured two journalists with ‘Telecom Journalism Award’ for their contribution in telecom sector through news. They are Saraswoti Dhakal of Karobar daily and Sujan Dhungana of The Himalayan Times. The award carries a purse of Rs 40,000 and a letter of felicitation each. 

Minister Baskota presented the award to the journalists and released souvenir of the Telecom. Similarly, the Telecom also honoured seven Telecom recharge card supplier companies which were able to meet the target of selling 12.5 million cards set by the Telecom. 

Likewise, 170 employees of Telecom were honoured with ‘Dirghasewa Padak’.