The government has pledged to transform the Security Printing Centre into a self-reliant and professional institution, announcing plans to expand domestic printing of key national security documents while reducing reliance on foreign printing services.
KATHMANDU, JULY 6
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timilsina has said the government is moving to develop the Security Printing Centre into a self-sufficient, professional and result-oriented institution, with a budget of Rs 220 million allocated for the upcoming fiscal year 2026/27.
Responding to lawmakers' questions during Monday's meeting of the National Assembly, the minister said the government aims to gradually replace foreign printing of security-sensitive documents with domestic production to save foreign currency and strengthen national capacity.
Dr. Timilsina said the Centre has already printed 2.4 million smart driving licences and 3.5 million postal stamps, and preparations are underway to begin printing citizenship certificates, national identity cards and excise duty stamps from the next fiscal year.
He clarified that the allocated budget is a capital investment to expand production capacity rather than meet operational expenses, adding that the existing infrastructure is insufficient to meet growing demand.
Responding to concerns over budget priorities, including the allocation for a Mobile Frequency Monitoring Van, the minister said investments in education and communication infrastructure serve different purposes and should not be viewed as competing expenditures.
He said the proposed monitoring system would function as a mobile laboratory to monitor radio spectrum, detect unlicensed telecommunications and broadcasting services, control frequency interference, and regulate emerging technologies such as 4G and 5G networks.
According to the minister, spectrum and frequency management currently generate around Rs 4.15 billion in annual government revenue and contribute about 1.5 percent to Nepal's gross domestic product indirectly.
Dr. Timilsina added that upgrading the Security Printing Centre and communication infrastructure would improve national security, increase government revenue and strengthen public service delivery while ensuring transparency and accountability in public spending.
