Fast Track road project runs into controversy

Kathmandu: The government’s preparations to award the contract of the Kathmandu Tarai Fast Track road to an Indian consortium has been criticised by former prime minister and senior UCPN Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai and other lawmakers. They said that instead of giving the project to the Indian firm, the government should build it with its own resources.

As part of preparation to award the project, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) recently completed negotiations with the Indian firm — a consortium of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Transportation Networks, IL&FS Engineering and Construction, and Suryavir Infrastructure Construction — which was the lowest bidder to build the project under build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) modality.

Country’s telephone penetration crossed 100pc: Telecom regulator

Kathmandu: Country’s tele-density or telephone penetration has crossed 100 per cent mark. This has been revealed officially by the telecom regulator — Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) — through its latest management information system (MIS) report.

The MIS report shows that the penetration rate reached 101.4 per cent by mid-April, with total telephone subscription at 26.86 million. Increased network coverage of wireless mobile service made a major contribution in achieving the feat. Tele-density measures the percentage of a country’s population with access to telephony services as determined by the subscriber base.

ADB, IFC to be consulted on TIA and SIA projects

Kathmandu: The government has decided to hold consultations with International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to select the project implementation modality for construction of the Second International Airport (SIA) in Nijgadh and upgradation of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

A board meeting of Investment Board Nepal (IBN) headed by PM Sushil Koirala took the decision to jointly consult with IFC and ADB, which is already supporting Nepal to upgrade TIA, today. The Ministry of Finance (MoF) will coordinate the consultation to look into options to undertake the two airport projects under public private partnership (PPP) or any other model, according to IBN.

Govt consults experts on 4G spectrum allocation

Kathmandu: Government has started making preparations to allocate frequency for much-talked-about fourth generation (4G) technology. Though spectrum bands for the technology were fixed three years ago, the potential service providers are yet to get the frequency to roll out the services.

While issuing Radio Frequency Pricing and Distribution Policy in 2012, Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) had announced of speeding up work on auction of 4G spectrum to introduce the new technology. Known as successor to 3G, 4G service allows a user to get comprehensive and mobile broadband solution for laptops, computers, smartphones and wireless modems.

NTA collects Rs 15bn in first renewal fee

Remains undecided on how much to charge telcos for second renewal of mobile licences

Kathmandu: Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has collected a total of Rs 15 billion as licence renewal fee from two major telecom companies — Nepal Telecom (NT) and Ncell. The fee was collected in the last three fiscals in installments of Rs 2.5 billion every year from each of them.The government provision requires both the companies to clear their licence renewal fee of Rs 20 billion each in installments over a period of eight years.

NTA mulls over allowing MVNOs

KATHMANDU: The government is mulling over giving entry to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), who will be able to buy talk time and internet bandwidth in bulk from existing operators and retail the services to customers under their own branding and tariff.MVNOs provide telecom services without owning spectrum or telecom network infrastructure. Rather, they lease network capacity from the mobile operators to obtain bulk access services at wholesale rates and then sell the services to users adding profit margin.

Govt negotiating with IL&FS consortium on Fast Track road project

MoPIT officials say chances of awarding the contract to IL&FS consortium are high

Kathmandu: The government has started negotiations with Indian bidder regarding financial aspects of the Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track road. Following the negotiations — likely to be completed within a week — the government will conclude whether to award the project to the bidder or not, according to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT).

SASEC project to be delayed

70PC WORK ON LAYING OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES COMPLETED

KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to yet again provide additional time for optical fibre laying project being carried out under the support of Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) has requested the Ministry of Finance for more time and resources for the project. As of mid-July, 70 per cent work on laying optical fibre cables has been completed, according to MoIC.

Number of migrants leaving for foreign jobs on the decline

KATHMANDU: The number of Nepali migrants leaving for jobs to foreign labour destinations dropped in the last fiscal year 2014-15, after a continuous rise in the previous five fiscal years. The decline is attributed to the impact of the devastating earthquakes in April and May and the ongoing row regarding the free visa and ticket provision.

Govt plans to enforce work permit rule

HIRING OF FOREIGN WORKERS WITHOUT LEGAL PROCESS CAUSING LOSSES IN MILLIONS

KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to strictly implement the work permit system for foreigners working in the country from next fiscal year 2015-16. The newly unveiled budget has stated that the permit will be made mandatory for non-Nepali employees to work in Nepal and updated records will be maintained. Even though a huge number of foreign nationals have been working in the country, the government so far does not have official data on such employees.