Probe panel on purchase of billing system at Nepal Telecom submits report

Kathmandu, Nov 20: The investigation committee on purchase of the Nepal Telecom billing system has submitted its report. 

Former secretary and coordinator of the committee, Maniram Gelal, presented the report to Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, on Thursday. 

Receiving the report, Minister Kharel emphasized that the committee was established for the ministry's internal review and assured that the report would not interfere with the process of purchasing the billing system at Nepal Telecom.  "Nepal Telecom retains autonomy in decision-making within legal boundaries," Kharel added. 

Minister Kharel noted that a study report was prepared as a reference after a letter of concern received from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) over the procurement of billing system. The ministry will review the report. 

He, however, believed the recommendations furnished by the report would be beneficial for future procurement. 

Probe panel coordinator Gelal clarified that the study report did not influence the confidential bid evaluation in the procurement of Nepal Telecom's billing system. "This report also suggest Nepal Telecom on how it could position itself in the competitive market and ensure safety and privacy of customers' personal data," he observed. (RSS)