Government appoints Mr. Purushottam Khanal as NTA chairman

Cabinet has appointed Mr. Purushottam Khanal as NTA chairman. Government’s decision taken on Monday Shrawan 6, 2076 appointed the current Acting Chairman to the same post.

The NTA chairman post was vacant after Mr. Digambar Jha resigned from the post, due to controversy. Then Government appointed Mr. Purushottam Khanal as the acting Chairman with full responsibility for six months which completed this month. So, the Government announced the vacancy for the open competition for the same post.

Out of 12 candidates who applied for the vacancy, MoCIT committee recommended 3 personnel to the Cabinet. Among which, Government appointed Mr. Purushottam Khanal for the NTA chairman post, based on the evaluation.

• NTA renews Nepal Telecom’s mobile license, Collect 20 billion in installment.

Before assuming the acting chairman, Mr. Purushottam Khanal was working as a Senior Director in NTA, taking command of the Administrative section.

His appointment to the Chairman post was almost certain even during the Vacancy Call. That time, it was only a rumor or Gossip. But it seems the Government couldn’t find better than the one working in the same organization and post. It also seems the Ministry and Government are content with his performance.

We, Nepalitelecom would like to congratulate Mr. Purushottam Khanal for the appointment and wish for a successful tenure in developing the telecommunication sector.

Challenges

We have shortlisted a few of his challenges or issues to resolve below.

• Resolution of Unified License to some operators in need (CG Telecom has been asking for the license from a long time)
• Infrastructure Sharing
• Quality Monitoring and Compensation.
• Telecom companies Merger Policy
• Mobile Number Portability
• Spectrum Auction.

Some of the works under progress shall also be completed within time, like the ones.

• Technology Neutrality for all spectrum bands.
• Mobile device management System (EIR system)
• Undergrounding of cables, wires in cities
• Projects Under RTDF (Optical Fiber laying and Broadband connection in remote areas)

Tell us what should be his priorities for the development of Telecom sector in Nepal?