Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has emphasized that the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Nepal’s National News Agency, must prioritize the nation and its people in its operations. Addressing a program following his inspection of the RSS Central Office in Bhadrakali, Minister Kharel underscored the importance of unity among journalists and employees at RSS, irrespective of their political affiliations, to advance the broader welfare of the organization.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Kharel stated that the development of a true journalistic personality among RSS personnel would benefit the country and its citizens. He highlighted the government’s mandate and urged RSS to function professionally, impartially, and with balance. He also acknowledged RSS’s proud history and expressed his commitment as the departmental ministry head to expeditiously finalize amendments to the RSS statute.
Minister Kharel also assured that discussions on issues such as the utilization of RSS’s physical assets and the sustainability of its audio-visual services would be conducted gradually. On the same occasion, RSS Executive Chairman Dharmendra Jha emphasized the urgent need for the approval of the statute, noting that the delay in finalizing the RSS regulations by the Ministry has impacted employee capacity-building activities.
Jha highlighted RSS’s current efforts to disseminate news in multiple languages, including Nepal Bhasa, Maithili, and Awadhi, and expressed the agency’s readiness to expand into other mother languages, provided there is budgetary support. He called for government assistance to make RSS self-reliant by utilizing its strategically located physical properties for commercial purposes.
Similarly, RSS General Manager Sandeep Rai noted that the agency is progressing towards establishing itself as a digitalized organization focused on national agendas. He emphasized the necessity of publishing province-level news bulletins, as RSS currently disseminates news primarily from its central office, and sought government support for this initiative.
General Manager Rai requested the Ministry’s facilitation in finalizing RSS regulations and in preparing the Organization and Management (O and M) framework. The event was attended by Secretary at the Ministry, Radhika Aryal, Joint-Secretary Kosh Hari Niraula, and other officials.