RSS should work keeping nation, people in centre: Minister Kharel

Kathmandu, Oct 8: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has stressed that Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), the National News Agency, should work keeping the nation and people at the centre. Addressing a programme organised after he inspected RSS Central Office, Bhadrakali, today, Minister Kharel shared that journalists and employees working at RSS should be united in favour broader welfare of the organisation despite their affiliation to any political ideology. He mentioned, "It will benefit the country and people if RSS friends start building their personalities becoming a true journalist. You all have known about the mandate of the incumbent government. Act accordingly in a professional, impartial and balance manner." Recalling the RSS is an organisation with a proud history, Communications Minister Kharel opined that he as a departmental ministry head was ready to finalize the amendment to the RSS statute soon. He assured of holding discussion on the issues including utilization of RSS's physical property, sustainability of audio-visual service gradually. On the occasion, RSS Executive Chairman Dharmendra Jha urged for the approval of the statute at the earliest, saying activities related to capacity building of employees have been affected after the RSS regulations is under consideration at the Ministry for long. Sharing that RSS has been disseminating news in Nepal Bhasa, Maithili and Awadhi languages, he stressed that RSS was ready to disseminate news in other mother languages if budget managed. RSS Chair Jha pointed out the need of government's support to make RSS self-dependent by utilizing RSS's physical properties located as important places in view of commercial purpose. Similarly, RSS General Manager Sandeep Rai underlined that RSS management is moving ahead to establish it as a new organisation carrying country's agenda by making RSS digitalized timely. He mentioned that it was necessary to publish news bulletin in province-level at a time when RSS has been disseminating news only from its central office, expecting government's support to it. General Manager Rai requested the Ministry to facilitate as it will have leadership role to give final shape to RSS regulations and to prepare Organisation and Management (O&M). Secretary at the Ministry, Radhika Aryal, Joint-Secretary Kosh Hari Niraula, among others were present on the occasion.