‘Govt. has taken wide-body purchasing issue seriously’

Kathmandu, December 6 : Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari, has said that the government and the ministry was serious regarding the questions raised over the purchase of the wide-body aircraft of Nepal Airlines Corporation.
Responding to the queries raised by lawmakers in the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee under the House of Representatives on December 5, Minister Adhikari said that although it was found that the wide-body aircraft was purchased after completing all process and method, investigation and study was underway where weaknesses took place.
He said, “The government will take action if there was any irregularity in course of purchasing the aircraft. Investigation and study was underway. A high-level probe committee will be formed if needed. The government is ready to move ahead in consultation with Committee.”
The Tourism Minister said that the flights have been affected in some countries as the European Union has kept Nepal’s aircraft in its black list, adding that Nepal has signed aviation agreement with 39 countries.
On the occasion, the lawmakers argued that there was no meaning of the wide-body aircraft purchased by the NAC if it does not make any income.