KATHMANDU, JUNE 6
Experts complain that the government has not allocated sufficient budget to implement the activities of Digital Nepal.
Experts have stated that despite bestowing commitment to making Digital Nepal a reality, the government has not allocated adequate budget to materialise the project. In a virtual dialogue, experts, including former minister Ganesh Shah pointed out the loopholes regarding its implementation though the project of Digital Nepal was forwarded as a game-changer project.
However, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Anil Dutta argued that everyone had appreciated the new budget that included programmes to strengthen the media sector.
Likewise, FNCCI Information Communications Technology Development Committee Chairman Mangeshlal Shrestha opined that it was crucial to collaborate with the private sector in a bid to foster digital economy.
Similarly, CAN Federation Chairman Navraj Kunwar called for the establishment of a separate ministry to develop IT.
As per the new budget released for fiscal 2021-22, Rs 7.74 billion has been allocated to the communications ministry.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 7, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.