KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 15

Communications and Information Technology Minister Parbat Gurung today stressed on reviving the former glory of Radio Nepal.

Minister Gurung was addressing a programme held by the Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee (Radio Nepal) here today to distribute medals to longest-serving employees of Radio Nepal. On the occasion, he called on all the concerned to propel the institution ahead in a competitive manner.

Also the government spokesperson, Minister Gurung said consultations were on to take Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Radio Nepal, Nepal Television and Gorakhapatra Corporation ahead effectively.

He urged the Radio Nepal family to identify its positive aspects and analyse weaknesses.

Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee Chair and Secretary at the ministry Hari Prasad Basyal said Radio Nepal had reached the homes of people with the message of ‘unity in diversity’ and urged Radio Nepal employees to further continue providing better service than the private sector in a way that people can feel it.

“We have the goal of taking the radio service to the homes of 92 per cent Nepalis in the current fiscal year by improving technology. Training programmes have started in this regard. The bill on Public Service Broadcasting has been registered in the Parliament for the merger of Radio Nepal and Nepal television,” Secretary Basyal said. “Works would be carried out without affecting the career development of employees of both institutions,” he added.

He also informed the ministry had prioritised expanding the reach of radio service across the length and breadth of the country and taking Nepal Television’s services to the international level. According to him, the ministry is currently working on a plan to enable all the four state-run media to deliver more effective service with fewer human resources.

Radio Nepal’s Executive Director Buddhi Bahadur KC said Radio Nepal’s service had reached up to 87 per cent of the country’s population at present.