-Prakash Silwal
Kathmandu, October 25: The Digital Nepal Framework-2076 BS has been approved by the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on October 22. With the approval, the Framework which envisages materializing the incumbent government’s national goal of prosperity through maximum utilization of technology has got headway for its implementation.
The Framework prioritizes 8 different domains and is expected to expedite the laying optical fibre for building information highway. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Banskota told RSS that the Framework had prioritized domains as connectivity, finance, agriculture, education, urban infrastructure, energy and health.
The Framework is also expected to contribute in achieving the SDGs besides supporting the government’s aim for good-governance. Earlier in August, a six-day workshop soliciting suggestions on the Framework from experts and stakeholders was organized by the Frost and Sullivan in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. During the inaugural of the workshop, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had underscored the need to leverage ICT for socio-economic transformation and good governance. The internet penetration in Nepal is recorded at 56 per cent so far.
The government aims to bring all 753 local units, community schools and health posts under the coverage of broadband access by 2020. National Identity Card was one of the first moves of the Digital Nepal campaign which allows the bearer avail all the state facilities through a single identity card. It contains information of the bearer. Likewise, an agreement was held between the Department of Civil Personnel Records and Employees Provident Fund to render services to the service seekers through one-door with the use of information technology. Ministry Spokesperson Hrishiram Tiwari said that the Framework had presented an action plan to facilitate in the electronic good governance, education, health and physical infrastructure, among others.
