Nepal must have the political will to bridge the yawning digital divide if it really wants to reap rich dividends from the information technology (IT) revolution. The government has come up with an e-governance master plan consulting report that has analysed Nepal’s current state of e-governance. The government is also facilitating the development of information, communication and technology (ICT) and revising this policy. However, it is pointless to merely identify challenges, analyse reports and chalk out strategies if they were not translated into tangible results.

So far, the authorities have proved to be adept in reneging on their promises. The pledge made in 2002 to provide Rs. 100 million for the integration of Nepal into the international IT map by 2010 remains unfulfilled to this day. Despite the formation of the IT policy 2000, the country is yet to witness any significant advancement in the field. Lack of inter-ministerial coordination and slow implementation of strategies related to various IT-related projects are to blame. Disappointingly, the government appears lethargic in carrying out an outsourcing initiative that can benefit thousands of unemployed youths. There is no doubt that key to Nepal’s all-round development lies in its ability to get out of the rut of politics and prioritise other equally important sectors like the ITC, for instance. Or else the media hype over e-governance or branding new Nepal as a digitised e-Nepal will end up in a grand fiasco.