Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang has clarified that the plan to award a management contract for Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) does not amount to privatization.
Responding to a question raised by lawmaker Prem Suwal in the meeting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Minister Tamang said a management contract is not a sale. “The ministry plans to adopt good practices in the civil aviation sector to bring about reforms in the NAC. There will be extensive discussions before any decision is made,” he added.
Tamang said that since NAC is a public entity and a matter of concern for all Nepalis, the ministry will take needful decisions by safeguarding national interests.
Earlier, lawmaker Suwal had questioned why the government initiated the process of awarding management contracts before ending financial irregularities, corruption and nepotism within the national flag carrier.
Minister Tamang assured that the ministry was committed to ending financial irregularities, corruption and nepotism. “NAC is an important public institution of Nepal. The ministry has initiated reform efforts to strengthen and enable the national flag carrier so that it can make a significant contribution to Nepal’s air transport sector and tourism promotion through institutional reforms and business development,” he added.
Tamang said NAC, being a public entity, will operate within its jurisdiction and undertake every work in a transparent manner as per the prevailing law.
