I was unaware that taking loan from a cooperative by TV is illegal: RSP Chair Lamichhane

KATHMANDU: The Chairman of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has claimed that he was unaware of the legal provisions ‘prohibiting’ media taking loans from cooperatives or any private company from taking.

Answering his involvement in the 100-million loan from Pokhara’s Suryadarshan Cooperative taken on behalf of Galaxy TV, Lamichhane stated that he was unaware of the legal provisions preventing loans from cooperatives.

When inquired how discussions took place among the board members regarding where and how to take loans from, and what process was involved in borrowing. He said he was unaware of whether there were records or not.

Lamichhane claimed ignorance as he neither was an investor nor worked as a journalist in this matter.

“I am not aware of whether cooperatives accept or reject investments; the cooperative’s board decides that. If I am not a part of the cooperative, if the person investing is GB Rai, then it’s his responsibility to provide the money. If the cooperative refuses to invest, then I don’t need to know why they have made such a decision,” the RSP Chair said.