2nd July 2024, Kathmandu
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has resumed the appointment process for the Managing Director (MD) of Nepal Telecom Company Limited (Nepal Telecom), which was previously halted due to political conflicts.
After a month-long delay, the ministry is set to proceed with the process that began with a call for applications on May 22 and the approval of 16 candidates on June 6.
Political Influence:
Sources from the ministry reveal that the delay stemmed from political disagreements. “Recently, the UML party, part of the government coalition, staked a claim to the position, slowing down the appointment process,” a source disclosed. Both major parties in the government reportedly wanted to appoint their preferred candidates, causing further delays.
The source added, “The Maoists previously appointed their person as the chairman of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, and now UML is trying to place their candidate as the MD of Nepal Telecom. The infighting makes it unpredictable who will ultimately be appointed.”
Interview and Selection Process:
The Ministry has scheduled interviews and business plan presentations for the 16 shortlisted candidates from June 20. The process is expected to be completed within three days, after which three names will be recommended for the MD post.
The candidates include Rajesh Joshi, Ananta Prakash Mallik, Dr. Bimal Acharya, Acting MD Sangeeta Pahadi (Aryal), Prem Prasad Silwal, Chinta Mani Baral, Krishna Prasad Bhandari, Anil Kumar Jha, Dr. Shaligram Parajuli, Laxman Maharjan, Subhash Sah, Nagendra Kumar Das, Kedar Nath Koirala, Kamal Lamichhane, Ramesh Prasad Joshi, Shalik Ram Subedi, and Budhi Prasad Acharya. Except for four applicants, all are affiliated with Nepal Telecom.
Key Candidates: Among the applicants, Dr. Bimal Acharya of Nepal Telecom and Anil Kumar Jha, MD of Janak Shiksha Samaya Kendra Limited, are particularly noteworthy. The position became vacant after the previous MD, Sunil Paudel, was found guilty in a corruption case involving the National Payment Gateway of the National Information Technology Center.
The appointment process has been contentious, as even the previous appointment of Sunil Paudel saw procedural amendments by then Minister of Communication Gyanendra Karki and then Secretary of Communication Dr. Baikunth Aryal.
