The government has expressed its firm commitment to strictly implement transparency measures in the management of government advertisements. It is prepared to fully enforce the Cabinet decision of Mangsir 8, which makes it mandatory for media houses to issue official bills for advertisement publication and broadcasting.
During a meeting with a delegation led by Shobha Gnyawali, Chairperson of Nepal Republic Media Limited, Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal stated that the government would ensure that advertising payments directly reach media organizations. He also pledged to issue circulars to all agencies under the Ministry of Finance, directing them to implement minimum government advertisement rates.
At the meeting, Managing Director of Republic Media, Samriddhi Gnyawali, raised serious concerns regarding irregularities in government advertising expenditures. She informed the Finance Minister that although the government allocates nearly NPR 5 billion annually for advertisements, only around NPR 2 billion actually reaches the media sector.
Questioning the use of the remaining NPR 3 billion, she demanded a thorough investigation. “Either the full amount should reach media houses, or the government should utilize the funds for other development-oriented sectors,” she stated.
She also shared that Republic Media is currently publishing government advertisements at a rate of NPR 318 per column, emphasizing the need for unity among all media houses to ensure effective implementation of the Cabinet decision. She warned that despite the bill-mandatory provision, the activities of media intermediaries have increased, urging the government to take the issue seriously.
Republic Media has been consistently advocating for the strict enforcement of the Cabinet’s Mangsir 8 decision in recent times.
