Kathmandu, August 25

National Information Commission today said it had handed over the national action plan on open government data to the government.

Issuing a press statement, NIC said Chief Information Commissioner Krishnahari Baskota, along with Commissioners Kiran Kumar Pokharel and Yashoda Devi Timsina, submitted the action plan to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at his office in Singha Dubar.

Chief Secretary Rajendra Kishor Kshatri, NIC Secretary Yam Kumari Khatiwada and Joint Secretary Bhuwanhari Aryal were also present on the occasion.

NIC said the action plan was developed on the basis of a special study conducted on open government data being practised in many countries around the world.

Stating that the idea of open government data emphasises people’s right to information, the body has recommended implementation of the action plan in accordance with Section 19 of the Right to Information Act, 2008.

Open government data not only strengthens innovation, transparency, accountability, participatory governance and economic growth, but also helps countries improve development programmes, track their progress, prevent corruption and improve aid effectiveness.

NIC has been working in close coordination with the United States for the past one-and-a-half years as per the international community’s decision to implement the concept of open government data in four more countries soon.

NIC said the action plan was formulated on the basis of discussion and interaction with RTI activists, government officials, civil society, statisticians and academicians.