KATHMANDU: The government appointed Bhupendra Bhandari as the Chairman of the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) entrusting him to “manage” the ongoing Ncell tax evasion concerns.
The strategic move involved Bhandari’s introduction to the Ministry of Communication as an expert with a planned agenda.
Bhandari, known for his prior close associations with key figures linked to Ncell, has previously collaborated with businessmen such as Raj Bahadur Singh and Upendra Mahato, as well as having established connections with Ncell operators.
His appointment is seen as a targeted effort to navigate the issues surrounding Ncell’s tax evasion and company transfer.
Sources reveal that Minister Sharma’s husband, Krishna Dhoj Khadka, played a role in Bhandari’s appointment, leading to a modification in the standard procedures for his selection.
Bhandari’s specific mandate includes the preparation of documents related to Ncell’s tax evasion, a matter that led to the resignation of Purushottam Khanal after he sought a document with a seal concerning the purchase of shares.
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