Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has declared that the upcoming decade will be pivotal for the transformation of the information technology sector. In a session of the House of Representatives, where discussions were held on the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s allocations under the Appropriation Bill, 2082, Minister Gurung articulated the government’s strategy to harness advancements in information technology to the fullest extent.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Gurung emphasized the government’s ambition to evolve the IT sector into an export industry. This will be achieved by drawing in private sector investments, generating employment opportunities, and utilizing IT extensively in service delivery. He underscored the government’s dedication to ensuring freedom of expression and press freedom, and outlined the ministry’s plan to achieve socio-economic transformation through IT initiatives.
Minister Gurung further elaborated on the ministry’s commitment to fostering good governance and e-governance. He announced plans to implement an integrated action plan for annual programs from the next fiscal year, complete with regular reviews to meet predetermined indicators. To enhance telecom services nationwide, activities such as the expansion of BTS and FTTH will be pursued. Amendments to the Advertisement (Regulation) Act and efforts to systematically regulate the advertisement market are also on the agenda, alongside fostering collaboration with provincial governments and local bodies to safeguard consumers’ welfare.
An allocation of Rs 280 million has been designated for public welfare advertisements in the coming fiscal year. The ministry intends to allocate grants to media-related organizations following the Grant and Financial Aid Disbursement Procedure, 2080, to bolster media entities. Minister Gurung highlighted efforts by Gorkhapatra Corporation to disseminate news in multiple languages, with plans to expand this initiative further.
Minister Gurung also informed the assembly about the digital archiving of Gorkhapatra Daily’s 92-year-old content and 55,431 audio contents from Radio Nepal. He announced plans to disseminate disaster early warning information via Radio Nepal and telecommunications SMS from the next fiscal year.
In addition, the Minister assured the effectiveness of Press Council Nepal in promoting media credibility and highlighted the National News Agency’s role in providing round-the-clock news services. He mentioned that an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy is nearing approval, with an AI Center set to be established to promote AI use in the IT sector.
Broadband internet has been extended to 6,566 ward offices, with plans to cover all wards in the coming year. The service already reaches 4,272 health centers and 5,341 community secondary schools. A bill on information technology and cybersecurity has been registered in parliament, and the National Cyber Security Center has been established to enhance cyber resilience.
In his address, Minister Gurung pledged to revise and implement the Digital Nepal Framework, integrating government services into the Nagarik App to improve accessibility and efficiency. The ‘One Local Level, One Smart Post Office’ program will launch next fiscal year, and an advanced film studio is under construction in Banepa, Kavrepalanchok.
Finally, Minister Gurung mentioned initiatives to advance the Nepali film industry by adopting global best practices and technologies, and infrastructure development under the Security Printing Act, 2081, to print sensitive materials domestically.