Subordinate bodies asked to help attain Digital Nepal Framework goals

KATHMANDU, MARCH 31: Prithvi Subba Gurung, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, has urged subordinate bodies under the Ministry to facilitate the achievement of the Digital Nepal Framework goals.

Speaking at a thematic committee meeting organized by the Ministry yesterday, the Minister emphasized the need for universal access to electricity, telephone, and internet connectivity at the local level to implement the Digital Nepal Framework effectively. He stressed that bodies under the Ministry are responsible for laying the necessary foundation to achieve this vision.

Minister Gurung called for expanding the Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS), controlling advertisement leakage, digitalizing postal services, and ensuring uniformity across government websites. Highlighting the need for a literacy campaign on Civic Apps, he urged the concerned bodies to focus on expanding broadband services and improving accessibility.

He also expressed concerns over the additional economic burden imposed on infrastructure development due to local-level tax collection for mobile tower installation. Furthermore, he stressed the need to upgrade broadband services in eight districts affected by the earthquake.

The Minister advised provincial governments to demonstrate their relevance and effectiveness through service delivery.

Ministry Secretary Radhika Aryal emphasized the importance of consulting with provincial and local governments when formulating policies and laws. "Ensuring quality in sectoral plans, policies, and programs, while maintaining uniformity, is crucial," she said. She also called for addressing communication and information technology issues in annual policy and program formulation at the local level.

On the occasion, the Ministry’s Joint Secretary Koshhari Niraula stated that Ministry programs are being implemented in coordination with local, provincial, and federal levels.