Kathmandu February 5.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gokul Prasad Baskota, has directed the Nepal Telecom’s management and employee administration to concentrate on the service quality improvement with the access expansion In his address to a programme organised on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Nepal Telecommunications Company Limited (Nepal Telecom) at its central office today, the Minister called on the company to accept the need of competition and new challenges ahead and dedicate to the people’s service. He expressed his happiness over the expansion of 4G service across the country, though there was a doubt over promise for the same in the beginning. He urged people concerned to work honestly for the company’s healthy life and utilize the entire capacity for good causes of the country. Expressing his concern over the protest carried out at the celebrations venue by one of the active trade unions in the company, the Minister questioned, “Do we play the auspicious tune or hold a requiem on the occasion of the mother’s birthday?” He said the timing of the protest was not appropriate. As he interpreted, it was not an act of bravery to protest as in the Panchayat regime, it was just an expression of frustrations. Stating that the Telecom Employees By-rule would be brought following the completion of required procedures, he urged employees not to be involved in politics for the sake of politics. “If you are interested for the same, visit the party office,” he said, referring to the protest group. “The government is taking care of the company as its youngest/dearest child and if failed to make a progress under such situation, it will witness the end of own life,” the Minister cautioned. We would advance toward the development of the nation by overcoming such hurdles. He said, however, constructive suggestions would always be welcomed and accepted, but ‘politics’ for the sake of politics’ would not be tolerated, suggesting the group abide by discipline and rules. “Otherwise, its records will be kept property,” he said, adding if it sounded like a challenge, accept it as a challenge. He questioned whether the 4G service should not be extended to across the country and was that the same reason behind their happiness. “Are you worried to see the organisation’s image going up?” Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Deepak Subedi was also present on the occasion. Company’s managing director Dilliram Adhikari informed that the 4G had been recently extended to all 77 districts in the country, works were going on build the Information Technology (IT) Mega Route and the company was taking a leading sector from the communications sector for the nation building. On the occasion, Telecom’s anniversary –related souvniour was launched and service providers giving the quality services and best performers (employees) were honoured. Nepal Telecom Workers’ Union held the protest demonstration at the programme venue, citing the company failed to secure expected profit and to give priority to the capacity enhancement of employees. Union Bagmati State Chair Achyut Kumar Ojha said they held the peaceful protest as a warning for the protection of trade union rights.