Ishwar Khanal

Kathmandu, January 19:

Thanks to the information technology (IT) boon, the functioning of the government has hit the fast lane. No more going lengthy distances for paperwork. A new website — www.nepalhmg.gov.np/digital forms — has hit the information superhighway. In its inaugural today, as many as 34 application forms, ranging from pleas for a driving licence to a marriage certificate, were posted on the Internet website.

The idea is the brainchild of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). “We have managed to bring something useful to the people,” said the Minister of Science and Technology, Balaram Ghartimagar, while launching the website. Apart from saving people time, money and energy this also means that government offices and police stations won’t be crammed with serpentine queues. Simply switch on the computer and log on to the site. Voila! Everything gets done at the click of a button. Minister of State for Science and Technology, Pratibha Rana, hit the nail on the head when she pointed out, “Apart from it coming in handy in the application forms scene, it is a strong instrument of decentralisation.”

The process has it benefits for the government also. “Now, the government won’t have to shell out huge amounts for printing forms.

Naturally, this will ease the burden on the coffers, “ said Sharad Chandra Shah, consultant to the ministry on the issue. Mahesh Singh Khathayat, who designed the website, promised to put more forms on the web as and when they are issued.