Audit accounts in six months: PAC tells Gorkhapatra

KATHMANDU, Feb 10: Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed Gorkhapatra Sansthan to conduct audit of all its accounts within the next six months. A meeting of the PAC held in Singha Durbar took a decision to this effect.



The PAC meeting has also directed the Gorkhapatra Sansthan to submit its progress report to the committee every month. [break]



No audit has been conducted in Gorkhapatra Sansthan since the fiscal 2006/07. While the Sansthan has over Rs 400 million in loans, its arrears has crossed Rs 140 million as of now. The PAC has also asked Gorkhapatra Sansthan to provide details of fresh recruitment following the election to Constituent Assembly.



The PAC members claimed that Gorkhapatra Sansthan had turned into a “recruitment center” for cadres of the political party holding the Communication Ministry.



They also stressed on the need to privatize it in order to make it capable of withstanding growing competition.



Information and Communication Minister Pokharel said there is a need to increase investment in the Gorkhapatra Sansthan to make it more competitive. He said that a committee formed under the coordination of finance ministry official is currently making a study in this regard.



Over 586 employees, including 511 permanent, are working with Gorkhapatra Sansthan.



Gorkhapatra Sansthan publishes two broad sheet dailies -- Gorkhapatra and The Rising Nepal -- and vernacular magazines.



Minister Pokharel, Managing Director of Gorkhapatra Sansthan Shambhu Shrestha and Executive Chairman Bijaya Chalise attended the meeting.

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