Rs 700 million commission bargain ‘not my mistake’, says Baskota

KATHMANDU, Feb 20: Minister of Communication and Information Technology Gokul Baskota has denied committing any mistake by bargaining for Rs 700 million in commission with an agent over the procurement of security printing press for the government.

An audio recording of the conversation between Minister Baskota and a local agent of the Swiss company Bijaya Prakash Mishra, in which the two are heard discussing the commission of around Rs 700 million over the procurement of security printing press worth Rs 25 or 26 billion, was leaked by Hamrakura.

Baskota has indirectly accepted the fact that it was him taking in the audio but said, “I get hundreds of proposals. I have received such proposals of at least Rs 1 billion till today. Some record it and some keep it a secret.”

“What is my mistake? You will see if I accepted the deal or not?” added Baskota, who is scheduled to address the issue about the leaked audio tape in a press conference later today afternoon. Baskota is arriving in the capital today from Sudurpaschim Province.

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Nepal Communist Party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal have held a meeting at the PM’s official residence in Baluwatar to talk about the leaked audio.

According to Baluwatar sources, the duo will inquire Minister Baskota about the conversation regarding the commission deal and will decide the next move.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party Nepali Congress has demanded the government sack Baskota immediately and take action against him.

Audio conversation: