KATHMANDU: The Office of the Auditor General has urged the government to recover billions of rupees in outstanding renewal fees from telecom companies, including Nepal Telecom and Ncell, along with additional charges.
In its 62nd annual report summary, the Auditor General pointed out that these companies failed to pay their renewal fees on time and stressed that the government should impose and collect additional charges.
According to the report, Nepal Telecom’s second license renewal was due on 25 Baisakh 2076 and the required fee of Rs 20 billion was to be paid three months prior to that date.
However, the company only deposited Rs 1.89 billion within the deadline. The remaining Rs 19.81 billion was paid nearly five years later, on 25 Baisakh 2081. For this delay, the Auditor General has recommended charging an additional 15% fee, amounting to approximately Rs 2.97 billion.
Similarly, the report notes that private telecom operator Ncell failed to pay the full amount during its third license renewal.
Ncell was required to deposit Rs 20 billion by 15 Baisakh 2081 but had paid only Rs 6.4 billion by then. The Auditor General has called for the government to recover an additional Rs 2.04 billion from the company.
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