Kathmandu, Ashwin 7: The government has appointed Santosh Shrestha as the Chairperson of the Advertising Board.
In accordance with a Council of Ministers decision made on Ashwin 2, Shrestha—a resident of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14—has been appointed to the post for a maximum term of four years. Today, the newly appointed Chairperson Shrestha took the oath of office and secrecy before the Minister for Information and Communications, Dr. Bikram Timilsina.
Following the oath-taking ceremony, Minister Dr. Timilsina directed the new Chairperson to work in a result-oriented manner regarding the regulation, management, and reform of the advertising sector. He emphasized that the Board must play an effective role, in line with its authority and responsibilities, to bring order to the advertising industry.
Minister Timilsina stressed the need to move forward by formulating an action plan that further establishes the necessity, rationale, and acceptance of the Board. He urged the Chairperson to conduct a serious review of the Board's current status, challenges, opportunities, and potential, and to work based on clear plans for improvement. Noting that the ineffective implementation of existing laws and regulations is a major current challenge, Minister Dr. Timilsina stated that the Board must identify its own weaknesses and rectify them. He also highlighted the need to make the distribution of public welfare advertisements scientific, objective, transparent, and lawful. Referring to the fact that the Office of the Auditor General has raised questions regarding transparency in the distribution of public welfare advertisements, he emphasized the need to ensure the transparent and effective use of public resources.
The newly appointed Chairperson, Shrestha, pledged to work by prioritizing the effective implementation of policies, acts, and laws related to advertising. He stated that he would move forward by formulating a new action plan to reform the advertising sector, prioritizing good governance and the seamless delivery of services to citizens. Newly appointed Chairperson Shrestha pledged to work proactively to make the regulation, management, and operation of the advertising sector effective.
Shrestha, a former president of the Advertising Association of Nepal, possesses extensive experience in the advertising and communications sectors. He has also taught at educational institutions, including King's College and Don Bosco College in Kathmandu.
