Kathmandu, May 3

Minister for Science and Technology Prem Bahadur Singh has said that the government will introduce new programmes and policies to bridge the digital divide in Nepal.

Addressing a programme organised by the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Federation to mark the National ICT Day, Minister Singh said that though information and communication technology today has become an integral part of human life, the digital divide in Nepal is increasing.

“The government and other stakeholders of the ICT industry of Nepal should work together to bridge this technology gap among the people,” he said. According to him, the government will promote the concept of developing ‘smart cities’ in Nepal and introduce other programmes that will help increase access to technology.

Similarly, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) Mahendra Man Gurung insisted on the need to develop a collective framework for ICT development together with the private sector.

Meanwhile, President of CAN Federation Binod Dhakal said that the government is giving less priority to the evelopment of ICT sector in Nepal though ICT development is directly related to the overall development of the country. “Nepal can achieve prosperity only through enhanced ICT sector. The government should also implement various ICT-related policies that have envisioned development in the sector,” he said.

Dhakal also criticised the government for not taking the initiative to operate the long-planned IT Park in Kavre district.

On the occasion of National ICT Day, CAN Federation also awarded different individuals and firms who have contributed to the ICT sector in Nepal. While the Supreme Court was awarded as the best ICT user (public sector) and Info Developers was felicitated with the best ICT user (private sector) award. CAN Federation also felicitated technocrat Manohar Bhattarai with the ‘National ICT Excellence’ award.