OPMCM unveils e-governance blueprint

KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 25: The E-Governance Board under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has officially released the E-Governance Blueprint, aiming to revolutionize government operations through digital transformation and paperless public services.

According to Board CEO Dipesh Bista, the draft of the Blueprint, prepared on January 27, was released after extensive consultations with multiple stakeholders. The document underscores the government's commitment to efficient, transparent, and accountable governance by reducing the need for physical presence in service delivery.

The Blueprint highlights key objectives, including infrastructure development, policy and legal reforms, capacity building, and research-driven digital governance. It identifies seven strategic pillars for digital transformation: governance framework, legal and regulatory structures, digital literacy, standards and guidelines, international cooperation, and innovation.

Aligned with Nepal’s ICT Policy 2072 BS, Government Enterprise Architecture Directive 2076 BS, and Digital Nepal Framework 2076 BS, the Blueprint aims to enhance inter-agency coordination, improve transparency, and simplify public service delivery. It also acknowledges challenges such as policy-level gaps, management issues, and the need for a citizen service center.

The key planned activities for the next three years include drafting an E-Governance Act, restructuring the Department of Information Technology, establishing a Data Protection Authority, and launching a data exchange platform.

Initially drafted with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Blueprint was later refined by Nepali consultants before receiving its final shape on January 27, 2025. The fifth meeting of the E-Governance Board, chaired by the Chief Secretary on January 28, decided to seek opinions from relevant authorities before its implementation.