Kathmandu, May 4

Minister for Information and Communications Sherdhan Rai has said that it was government’s top priority to extend people’s access to information and communications technology.

Addressing the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva yesterday, he informed the delegates that Nepal had already launched various programmes, which would increase people’s access to information and communications technology, a statement issued by the ministry said.

“Providing free internet services in public places like stadiums, hospitals, schools and marketplaces is one of the major steps taken by the government in this regard,” said Rai.

He said the government was also working to bring about socio-economic transformation by extending internet and telecommunication services in the rural areas.

“The government is also committed to alleviating poverty,” he added.