With the dissatisfaction in the performance and progress, Government has asked clarification from Ntc MD Kamini Rajbhandari. Cabinet decision on Monday decided to seek clarification from Nepal Telecom MD within seven days. Earlier, PM Oli himself asked Ntc MD and other officials to improve their service. Various people in this telecom field have already seen the clarification as a sign for the removal.
Government appointed Mrs. Kamini Rajbhandari as Ntc MD on Sept 22, 2016, for three years. Before that, she was working in the government owned Telco as a chief technical officer (CTO). She joined Nepal Telecom as an Engineer in the year B.S. 2042 and worked in several departments. She is not only the first female MD but also the first one who come from open competition.
One of the reason for the dissatisfaction seems like the delayed expansion of 4G service all over the country. Ntc launched 4G LTE for the first time in Nepal on Jan, 2017. That time, the launch happened in two cities namely Kathmandu and Pokhara. Ntc mentions recently that they are in the finalil stage of evaluating Ntc 4G Project. Read more here.
Another reason include the no progress in Mid hill information highway optical fiber project which seems to be scrapped by the government last week. The Mid hill optical fiber project was based on the agreement with NTA, for the use of Rural Telecommunication development fund (RTDF) for building the information super highway: crucial for telecommunication network expansion. Source.
Hoax / Rumors for removal
On Baishak 20, 2075, Ntc board meeting was held without the presence of MD. Some online portals reported that the board meeting decided to seek clarification from the MD for the lagging performance. Other online news portals also claim that the cabinet already took decision for the removal. But all of those are baseless as the seven days clarification news surfaces now.
Rumors also say that state Minister for MOIC Mr. Gokul Baskota had summoned Kamini Rajbhandari for the non-satisfying performance and progress. But Ntc MD Kamini Rajbhandari had denied such allegations.
As per the rule, Government will review the clarifications once it is tabled by Ntc MD and may decide on the fate of her position. But majority claim that this is just a formality to remove her from the position. All things in behind, lets see how will government take Kamini Rajbhandari’s clarification.
What do you think of the Government intention behind this clarification process? Please comment.
