The high number of registrations within a very short period shows promise of e-governance implementation in the country
Availing government-related services and information can be cumbersome, having to run from office to office and staying in long queues, often involving days, to get even a simple work done. But that is likely to change with the recent government-approved Citizen App (Operation and Management Directive, 2021). From in line to online, government services and information are to be provided to its citizens through a single electronic platform with the use of digital technology. Through the app, one will be able to apply for PAN registration, get details of taxes submitted and services provided by the Citizen Investment Trust and other saving funds, and open a bank account online, among others.
The app can also be an alternative to carrying official papers, such as passports, citizenship certificates, voter ID and educational documents, separately.
When the government initially launched the mobile app, called Nagarik, in January this year to promote its services online, they covered nine areas. But the areas are expanding, and services to be provided by all the ministries, departments and offices of the government, courts, constitutional bodies, commissions, provincial and local governments, foundations, companies, educational institutions, missions and other agencies can be connected to the app.
Even agencies of the private sector can provide services through the app.
The services are available online round-theclock and even on public holidays. As per the directive, any Nepali citizen can download the citizen app on his or her smart phone to register. Upon receipt of the application, the applicant will get a password, which must be entered along with one's name, address and date of birth to avail information or services from a government agency. To maintain privacy, the government agency will provide its services only after verifying the authenticity of the SIM and identity of the user with the telecom service provider. Government services will not be available through the app to any applicant without registration. And it is the duty of the service providing agency to keep all information, including that of the users, confidential as per the existing laws.
That the Nepali citizens are thrilled by the Nagarik app is seen from the high number of registrations within a very short period, which shows great promise of e-governance implementation in the country.
However, it is not without its fair share of hitches. For instance, there are complaints by registered users that authentication takes a long time. The app also refuses to accept 32 as the last day of the Nepali month of Shrawan. Still others are unable to receive a code even after the SIM has been verified. Such hiccups can be very annoying to the users, and they need to be resolved instantly. Government institutions can no longer afford to work as they did in the past. In this digital era, government officials and staff need to be tech-savvy so as to provide their services in a simple, economical and effective manner with the use of information technology. For sure, e-governance and e-commerce are here to stay, and they will only grow in popularity with the young generation in the years to come.
COVID cases drop
With the daily infections of the coronavirus declining considerably across the country, the government has decided to allow public transport to resume its business as usual. But the public transport operators and passengers are required to abide by the health protocols prescribed by the government.
They are allowed to carry only as many passengers as the seating capacity of the vehicles allows, and all passengers, drivers and helpers must wear face masks. However, educational institutes and sporting activities will continue to remain shut.
The daily infection of the virus has dropped to 1,042, which is the lowest since April 19 when 1,224 new cases were recorded across the country. However, the death rate has not declined despite the strict measures taken to break the chain of infection. As many as 27 people have died of the virus in the past 24 hours. It is expected that the death rate from the virus will also come down as the government has decided to roll out vaccines to the people above 55 years of age from today. The gap between COVID infection and recovery has also narrowed, from 100,000 in May to just 26,000. It is a good sign that the country will return to normalcy in the days ahead.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 6 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
