Kathmandu, July 14

Sajha Prakashan has decided to sell part of its property to provide salary and allowance to its employees.

Dolindra Pradad Sharma, general manager of Sajha Prakashan, today said they were compelled to take the decision as the government didn’t provide any support to bail the organisation out of its financial crisis.

“We needed Rs 400 million to clear debts and provide salary and allowance to employees. But as we have no options left, we decided to sell land the publication house owns outside the Valley,” he said. The central office of Sajha Prakashan in Pulchowk spreads in an area of seven ropanis.

Sharma said that a few weeks ago, Sajha Prakashan had drawn the attention of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to its crisis and sought financial support either in grant or subsidised loan.

“We did not get any assurance from the government, while the National Cooperative Bank has already issued a letter to proceed with the auction of the land Sajha Prakashan owns in Pulchowk. Therefore, the management committee decided to sell land it owns outside the Valley,” he added.

According to Sharma, Sajha Prakashan owns land in 11 districts and it had decided to sell land it owns in Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Surkhet, Birgunj, Pokhara and Chitwan.

Earlier, the publication house had urged the government to allow it to distribute community school textbooks. It had sought Rs 300 million in grant or a subsidised loan of Rs 400 million to clear its debts.

Similarly, the publication house had urged the government to take the responsibility of its employees, debt, property and overall management, if it was not possible for the government to provide it financial support.

It had also urged the government to reduce the unnecessary burden of employees.

“Through the sale of land outside the Valley, we are likely to raise Rs 400 million. This will be sufficient to clear the debts, and pay salary and gratuity to employees who have opted for voluntary retirement,” he informed.

Sajha Prakashan had called for application for voluntary retirement from employees who have already completed 20 years in a bid to reduce its financial burden.

“Till date 94 of 194 employees have sought voluntary retirement,” Sharma said, adding, “We expect many others to follow suit. We will run the publication house with few but active and dynamic employees.”