KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 3

The Ministry of Finance has shown its concern about ending the protracted mess in Nepal Airlines Corporation.

In this connection, discussions were focused on forming a high-level committee with a mandate to study the future course of the Corporation and on dealing with the ongoing agitation of its employees and to recommend reforms.

At a discussion held at MoF today, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma suggested proceeding with the formation of a committee headed by the tourism ministry secretary with representatives from MoF and NAC as well as independent experts. The committee will submit a report with recommendations within 15 to 20 days.

He stressed on ending the agitation of employees through dialogue and resuming regular operations of the NAC. It will be easier for the government to take necessary decision once the committee recommends actions after taking stock of the reports commissioned so far for NAC reform, Minister Sharma added.

Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini and Tourism Secretary Yadav Koirala pointed out the need of strong political leadership for institutionalising reforms in NAC. Managing Director of NAC, Dim Prasad Poudel, delivered a presentation on the present situation and future strategy of NAC. He dubbed political interference, unnecessary recruitment of employees and weak legal framework as the key factors behind the dwindling financial status of the corporation.

As informed, NAC has a loan amounting to approximately Rs 50 billion and a reserve loss of Rs 11 billion. The corporation has over 500 unnecessary employees. A version of this article appears in the print on September 4 2021, of The Himalayan Times.