Minister Gurung urges subordinate bodies to facilitate for implementing Digital Nepal Framework

KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has urged subordinate bodies under the Ministry to work towards achieving the goals of the Digital Nepal Framework.

Speaking at a thematic committee meeting organised by the Ministry today, the Minister emphasised the need for access to electricity, telephone, and internet connectivity across all local levels to implement the concept of the Digital Nepal Framework. He stressed that the bodies operating under the Ministry are responsible for laying the groundwork to achieve these objectives.

Minister Gurung called for a focus on expanding the Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS), preventing advertisement leakage, digitising postal services, and ensuring uniformity across the official websites of government entities. 

He also highlighted the importance of launching a literacy campaign related to Nagarik app, urging the concerned bodies to prioritise expanding broadband service usage and accessibility. Additionally, he noted that the collection of tax by local levels for installation of mobile towers is imposing extra economic burdens on infrastructure development.

The Minister further stressed the need to upgrade the quality of broadband services in eight districts affected by the earthquake. He advised provincial governments to demonstrate their relevance and presence through effective delivery of services.

Secretary at the Ministry, Radhika Arayal, stressed the need of consulting with province and local levels while formulating policies and laws. "It is necessary to ensure quality in sector plans, policies and programmes with maintaining uniformity among them." She also recommended addressing issues related to communications and information technology when drafting annual policies and programmes at the local level.

On the occasion, the Ministry's Joint Secretary, Kosh Hari Niraulaa, stated that the Ministry's programmes have been implemented in coordination with the local, provincial and federal levels.