Five dozen ad agencies on verge of closure

KATHMANDU, Feb. 11: Some 6,000 people working for around 60 advertizing agencies are at risk of loosing their jobs with the introduction of the ´Guidelines on proportionate distribution of public information and advertisements 2069´ by the government.



Of the 171 advertising agencies active in Nepal 60 of them are involved in the transaction of public advertisements, and they provide direct employment to some 5,500 people.[break]



Meanwhile, arguing that the guidelines were against the norms of economic liberalization, the Advertisement Agencies Association of Nepal (AAAN) is looking for a legal remedy.



It may be noted that the guidelines were endorsed by the Council of Ministers on January 31 and forwarded it to the Department of Information for enforcement.



The smaller media houses and those outside the capital have however welcomed the guidelines.



Coordinator of the Public Advertisement Committee formed by AAAN, Basudev Pandey argued that the guidelines have tried to adopt a one-door policy and said that the Association has already registered its displeasure with the Ministry of Information and Communications.



"And we have decided to seek a judicial remedy in consultation with legal experts concerned", he added.



Public advertisements reportedly account for an annual transaction worth Rs. one billion.

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