KATHMANDU
The Ministry of Finance has shown its concern on ending protracted mess in the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). In this connection, discussions were focused on forming a high-level committee with a mandate to study about the future course of the Corporation and ongoing agitation of its employees and to recommend the government for its reform. At a discussion held at MoF on Friday, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma suggested proceeding with the formation of a committee headed by Tourism Ministry Secretary with representatives from MoF and NAC as well as independent experts in a way it would submit a report with recommendations within the timeframe of 15-20 days.
He stressed to end the agitation of employees through dialogue and resume the regular operations of the NAC. It would be easier for the government to take necessary decision once the committee recommended actions by taking stock of the reports commissioned so far for NAC reform, Minister Sharma added. On the occasion, Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini and Tourism Secretary Yadav Koirala pointed out the need of strong political leadership for institutionalizing reforms in NAC.
Managing Director of the NAC, Dim Prasad Poudel, delivered a presentation on the present situation and future strategy alternative of NAC. He dubbed political interference, unnecessary recruitment of employees and weak legal framework as the key factors behind dwindling financial status of the corporation. As informed, NAC has a loan approximately amounting to Rs 50 billion and a reserve loss of Rs 11 billion. The corporation has over 500 unnecessary employees.
