Nepal Television Satellite Deal Irregularities Exposed

Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has recommended action against irregularities in the satellite bandwidth rental for Nepal Television, citing corruption and financial losses.

According to a report submitted by the ministry to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, an estimated Rs 21 crore in irregularities were found in the rental of satellite bandwidth for Nepal Television.

The report, prepared by a study committee formed by the ministry, found that there were repeated irregularities in the rental of satellite bandwidth for Nepal Television from 2005 to 2025.

Irregularities in Satellite Rental

The study committee found that Nepal Television had rented satellite bandwidth from various companies, including ThaiCom, without following proper procedures and without considering the technical specifications of the satellites.

The committee also found that the rental agreements were extended repeatedly without proper evaluation, resulting in financial losses to the state.

The report stated that the rental of satellite bandwidth was done without considering the technical specifications of the satellites, and that the rental agreements were extended repeatedly without proper evaluation.

Losses to the State

The study committee estimated that the state had incurred losses of around Rs 21 crore due to the irregularities in the rental of satellite bandwidth.

The committee also found that the losses were caused by the repeated extension of rental agreements without proper evaluation, and by the failure to consider the technical specifications of the satellites.

Recommendations

The study committee recommended that action be taken against those responsible for the irregularities, and that measures be taken to prevent such irregularities in the future.

The committee also recommended that the rental of satellite bandwidth be done through a competitive bidding process, and that the technical specifications of the satellites be considered before renting them.