Ministry of Communications Approves 10-Point Action Plan to Enhance Digital Governance

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has approved a comprehensive action plan featuring 10 major reform programs aimed at making the results-based governance system more effective.

According to Ministry spokesperson Udaya Bahadur Rana Magar, the action plan was implemented following the Nepal Government Cabinet's decision on Chaitra 13. It aims to make public service delivery citizen-friendly, efficient, transparent, and technology-driven by defining specific tasks, performance indicators, timelines, and responsible officials.

He stated that the 10 priority programs were approved to strengthen the digital governance concept, facilitate service delivery, reduce costs, and save time.

Ministry Launches Integrated Application System

An integrated application system will be launched within 45 days, interconnecting various government services such as police reports, passports, and driving licenses through the Nagarik App. The system for obtaining police reports via the app is already operational.

Postal Service to be Developed as Government Courier

The postal service will be developed as a government courier service within 90 days to deliver government services to citizens' doorsteps. To reduce service delivery time and costs, a review of postal routes will be completed by the end of Baisakh 2083.

Subsequently, documents such as passports, driving licenses, educational certificates, and Nepal Telecom SIM cards will be delivered to distribution centers in all districts via the postal service. Arrangements will also be made to safely transport medical test samples to laboratories.

A system has been initiated to print and hand over high-quality driving licenses using the Security Printing Center's advanced machines within 24 hours of receiving details from the Department of Transport Management. The goal is to complete the printing of approximately 2.9 million pending licenses by the end of Ashar.

In collaboration with the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, mobile data services will be improved by implementing systems that notify customers after 90 percent data usage, provide a 'Pay-As-You-Go' (PAYG) option, and enable subscription-based service models.

To make government websites and apps user-friendly, over 250 government websites and mobile apps will be updated to be disability-friendly and accessible to citizens with limited technical knowledge. Additionally, instructional video content will be prepared to assist users.

Furthermore, policy arrangements related to 4G will be revised within 30 days to provide additional frequency for quality improvement. A 'One-Time KYC' system will be implemented within 30 days for Nepal Telecom services, eliminating the need for customers to resubmit details. Services such as e-SIM distribution, grievance management, lost SIM recovery, and ownership transfer will be made fully available online within 30 days.

The Ministry stated that 'Single Point Service' help desks will be established to ensure easy access to telecommunication services, with such desks to be set up in all Nepal Telecom offices.

Similarly, relevant bills regarding Information Technology, E-Governance, Cyber Security, Data Protection, and Artificial Intelligence will be drafted within 90 days to ensure policy certainty.

The Ministry has expressed its commitment to implementing all programs within the stipulated timelines to make public service delivery more effective, transparent, and citizen-friendly. This initiative is expected to strengthen the Digital Nepal campaign while providing citizens with convenient, accessible, and reliable services.