In a recent development, the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives in Nepal has directed multiple ministries to recover outstanding taxes owed by Ncell, a private telecommunications service provider.
The committee, issuing directives to the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Finance, and Industry, Commerce and Supplies, has further instructed a temporary halt on transactions of Ncell shares until a comprehensive report is submitted.
Simultaneously, the committee has urged amendments to the Telecommunications Act and Regulations, emphasizing the need for them to be in sync with contemporary times. The government is also tasked with evaluating the buyer capacity and business experiences during any potential sale of Ncell shares.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has voiced concerns over the perceived irregularities in the sale of Ncell shares, stating that the government views it as unusual and is prepared to take legal action if any violations are detected. PM Dahal reassured committee members that the formation of the probe committee related to the share sale would not impede the functions and jurisdiction of the Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA), the regulatory body overseeing the telecommunications sector.
However, in a parallel development, the Supreme Court of Nepal has issued a show cause notice in response to a writ petition filed by Member of the House of Representatives, Amresh Kumar Singh. The petition, lodged on December 8, contends that the sale and purchase of Ncell shares occurred in an opaque manner, demanding non-recognition of the transactions. Supreme Court Justice Prakashman Singh Raut has summoned both parties for further discussions.
As the government grapples with internal scrutiny and legal proceedings, the Ncell share transactions remain under intense public and judicial scrutiny, creating a complex scenario for all stakeholders involved.