Ministry Forms Committee to Investigate Nepal Television Procurement

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Communications and Information has formed a four-member committee to study and investigate the equipment and technology procurement processes undertaken by the public service broadcaster Nepal Television at various times.

According to the ministry, a four-member investigation committee under the convenership of Dr. Sudeep Bhattarai was formed by a ministerial-level decision on Jestha 1, 2083. The committee has been asked to study the facts related to various equipment, software, and digital systems purchased by Nepal Television, including complaints, reports, and public interest issues, and submit a report with recommendations to the ministry within 21 days.

The investigation committee has been mandated to conduct a detailed study regarding the graphics system, new media (digital platform) service, audio/video equipment, digital transmitter, and the 'playout automation system' purchased for the Itahari channel by Nepal Television.

There are complaints and grievances in various bodies regarding these matters. The ministry has formed the investigation committee for its internal information purposes in relation to such complaints and grievances.

Questions have been raised in the past few years regarding the transparency and adherence to legal procedures in various procurement processes for the modernization of technology and broadcasting systems at Nepal Television.

Earlier, the ministry had also formed an investigation committee regarding the public service broadcaster's satellite procurement case.