Cyber law necessary

Narayangarh: The upcoming budget should bring in the Electronics Transaction Act (cyber law) to manage the Internet service providers. There should be concession in royalty for the information technology sector so that this sector can be properly developed into an industry. The costs of equipment should be reduced along with the dial up cost so that internet services become more simplified and accessible to rural residents as well. A cyber law is essential to remove the weaknesses in Internet services and form a legal basis to punish those committing cyber crimes. If skilled manpower could be generated in IT sector and the domestic IT sector can be better managed, then IT professionals can also get well paid jobs abroad. Therefore, governments should bring in the concept to promote IT sector in the coming budget.

Manesh Lal Chuke, chief, World Link Service

Promote computers

Biratnagar: In this modern period, computer education has been of essential importance to all irrespective of the fields one is associated with. Computers should be made accessible to all the citizens of the nation. It should be available to people from different walks of life. In the upcoming budget, the custom charge on computer parts being imported within the country should be reduced. The Nepal government has to implement a computer billing system in every office throughout the nation to ensure fast and reliable services. Similarly, record in all government as well as non-governmental offices should be kept in computer systems so that they can be easily accessed. If this happens, daily work for even bureaucrats will become easy and transparent. Internet service providers should be exempt from tax burdens because Internet can provide all kinds of information to all according to their desires. A cyber law should be implemented soon.

Sneh Shrestha, Hardware Technician

Use local people

Pokhara: Though there have been sufficient number of IT experts in the recent years in the country, most have gone away to foreign countries after the government did not show any concern to utilise this manpower. The budget for next fiscal year should introduce a policy focusing on creating better employment opportunities for such people within the country. IT experts who are working in Nepal have mostly been limited to teaching in computer institutes and schools. Therefore, it is necessary to launch IT projects in the country. Projects to produce softwares and producing medical transcriptions using locally available manpower should be launched. The market for softwares and medical transcription is worldwide. The government must work towards opening the Banepa IT Park. There is hardly any activity in IT Park now. Multinational companies have established their branches in India and helping to boost standard of IT there. The government should take initiatives to create an environment so that multinational companies could establish their branches in Nepal too.

Hemanta Raj Baral, IT professional

Expand network

Nepalgunj: Residents of western Nepal, mostly a rural region, have been deprived of access to information technology and communication services. Rural people are compelled to travel a long distance to make one phone call or to send emails. Therefore, budget must be allocated targeting rural residents to provide them communication facilities. First and foremost, budget should be allocated to install optical fibre line from Lamahi to Mahendranagar and for reconstruction of structures destroyed by Maoists. Also, budget should be allocated for making communication services accessible in all parts of the country and to expand mobile phone services in hilly districts. The private sector must be encouraged to extend mobile phone and landline telephone services in rural parts. Wireless telephone services should be promoted. A special package must be brought for the development of telecommunications in mid and far western region.

Bishnu Prasad Mainali, Senior member, Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries.