KATHMANDU, MAY 15: The government is to advance the next decade as the ‘Information Technology Decade’ to achieve socio-economic transformation and prosperity, taking information technology as the basis of digital transformation. Presenting the government’s policies and programs for the coming fiscal year in the joint session of the federal parliament yesterday, President Paudel underlined that Nepal would be developed as a global information technology hub, encouraging the development of the IT industry as the major sector for employment and service export.
At least 5,000 jobs would be created by establishing IT workstations at appropriate places in the Kathmandu Valley and each province, according to the policies and programs. Similarly, a legal and institutional arrangement would be made for the safe and effective use of communications and information technology systems, and the government has a plan to revise the Digital Nepal framework. “Internet and data exchange platforms will be prepared to maintain inter-affiliation among electronic systems,” says President Paudel. The government plans to operate citizen service centers in collaboration with local levels to provide all public services in one place.
The policies and programs mention that broadband service would be of quality, accessible, and safe by expanding broadband internet, as well as accelerating high-capacity optical fibre expansion activities to provide high-speed internet service. Additionally, satellite-based internet service would be launched in remote and rural areas.
Institutional arrangements would be made to enhance the effectiveness of research, response, and public awareness of cybersecurity-related works. The government plans to increase access to information technology for women, minorities, backward classes, regions, and communities by expanding digital literacy.
The policies and programs mention that the task of launching Nepal’s own satellite into orbit would be progressed, and standards for the construction and operation of the Data Center would be developed. The government also plans to advance the process of establishing the Information Technology Knowledge Park.
The policy and program document mention that information technology systems used by public bodies will be determined and made safe and reliable, while technical testing of information technology systems used in public bodies, including hardware, software, network, cybersecurity, etc., would be carried out. The government is going to adopt a policy of building systems and software used in public bodies from the government sector and giving preference to domestically developed software.
The government plans to arrange state-of-the-art, high-quality, and competitive printing for security printing, such as excise stickers, postage stamps, driving licenses, and passports, and to restructure the postal service to make it fast, efficient, and information technology-friendly, linking it with e-commerce. “Policy, legal, and structural reforms will be made for the professional development of the mass media sector. The use of social media will be made dignified and managed. A media literacy campaign will be conducted. Rural journalism based on mother tongue will be promoted,” he said. A policy will be taken to build and operate Media Village in all provinces.
In collaboration with Lumbini Province, preparatory work will be started for the establishment of Krishnasen Media Village in Dang. It is mentioned in the policies and programs that television. FM, and internet service providers will be encouraged to merge, transfer ownership rights, and be transferred.
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