MP Rana Criticizes Unequal Telecom Service Distribution

Kathmandu. National Independent Party (NIP) MP Bidushi Rana has stated that the distribution of telecommunication services is unequal. Speaking in the zero hour of the House of Representatives on Monday, MP Rana strongly criticized the government, saying that while the capital Kathmandu is preparing for 5G service, citizens in Karnali and remote Himalayan regions are still confined to weak 2G service.

MP Rana said that this unequal distribution of technology has seriously affected citizens' equal rights and opportunities. 'It is unacceptable that while Kathmandu talks about 5G, citizens in Karnali are limited to 2G. This is not just a difference in technology, but a difference in opportunity, access, and equal rights,' said MP Rana.

MP Rana narrated the suffering faced by citizens in Shey-Phoksundo, Dolpo Buddha, and Chharka Tangsong rural municipalities of Upper Dolpa due to lack of communication facilities. She stated that similar problems are prevalent in remote districts like Humla, Mugu, Bajura, and Jajarkot.

Mentioning that education, health, banking, and government service delivery are severely hampered due to lack of communication, she said, 'While students in Kathmandu can connect to the world's best classrooms with one click, students in Dolpa or Humla have to climb mountains to find internet signals, which is a tragic situation.'

Defining communication facilities not as a luxury but as a lifeline, she said that pregnant women struggle to get health advice, farmers struggle to get market information, and youth struggle to find online opportunities due to lack of communication.

MP Rana demanded that the government expand 4G service to Karnali and all remote Himalayan regions on a high priority basis by next Kartik (mid-November).