I'm ready to face any action if charges against me are proven: Minister Baskota

BHIMDUTTANAGAR, Feb 20: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota has said that he is ready to face any action if bribery charges against him are proven. 

Addressing a group of cadres in Kanchanpur, the minister said that he has noticed the media reports over his alleged involvement in seeking bribes from a Swiss company.  

The minister said he would respond in detail over the issue once he comes back to the capital later today.

The minister's response comes hours after a leaked audio recording of a conversation between Information Minister Gokul Baskota and Swiss Company local agent Bijaya Prakash Mishra made headlines in Nepali media, where the minister is heard bargaining for Rs 700 million in bribe over the procurement of security printing press for the government.

Baskota said that he is ready to get punished if the charges against him are proven true. Speaking at a cadre-meet program in Beldandi rural municipality here in the district on Thursday, he further added, "There is no point of spreading the biased information with political prejudices."

"Facing accusations is not a big deal. In course of governing the country, it is common to face such charges," argued he adding that reactionary forces will be defeated through the pro-public activities of the government. 

Minister Baskota also inaugurated a newly constructed building of Nepal Telecommunications Office in Belauri, Kanchanpur.