KATHMANDU: The government has appointed four members in the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The appointments were made on Thursday by the minister-level decision of Minister for Information and Communications Dr Bikram Timilsina.

As decided, Chhetra Gopal Pradhan was appointed the NTA Member under Accounts and Auditing; Ananta Mallik under Technical and Administration; Nilam Kumar Ojha under Legal and Sujita Shrestha under Market Management.

Before assuming their office, Minister Dr Timilsina directed the new appointees to discharge their duty by keeping the country and people at the centre, adding that the NTA was directly linked to the development, expansion and regulation of the telecommunications sector.

Likewise, Minister Timilsina asked them to exhibit high morale, transparency and accountability.

Saying that the government will not tolerate anything that is against institutional and public interests, Minister Timilsina made it clear that the government will seek other alternatives if the job performance of the appointees remains unsatisfying.

On the occasion, Minister Dr Timilsina directed the NTA to take a lead role in the expansion of the telecommunications network, enhancement of access to service and development of digital infrastructure.

“The regulatory role should be strengthened. So far, this sector could not be made robust,” he added, expressing serious concerns to deteriorating condition of the organization.

During the event, the newly-appointed NTA Members expressed their commitment to discharge their duty responsibly in a transparent and honest manner and also pledged to prioritize institutional interests through the collective decision-making system.