Govt services to be paperless, faceless: PM Oli

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government will further emphasise on the use of information and communication technology so as to make government services paperless and faceless.

The prime minister said so while virtually inaugurating a programme organised on the occasion of the fourth National ICT Day 2021 by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. He further mentioned that through the use of technology people could be provided with all public services in a quicker manner and with fewer expenses. He added that it would also make work more effective and efficient.

PM Oli informed that work related to the construction of the information highway that will help connect the east to the west, north to the south and all the district headquarters had been expedited. He shared that work had been started to provide internet access to all local levels, ward offices, community schools and health centres. He stated that the government will be making broadband internet connectivity accessible in all such locations. The prime minister also mentioned that the government had begun work to establish and operate an Information Technology Centre at all the local levels.

To enhance the socio-economic status of the people and for long-term economic development, he added that the development of information technology in Nepal was of utmost necessity. PM Oli also mentioned the Digital Nepal Framework, 2076, which has been introduced by the government to develop digital infrastructure and technology that will help in the further development of the ICT sector. The framework will also play a vital role in improving governance and provide much-needed thrust to the government’s aim to create a prosperous Nepal, he stated. The prime minister also shared that the Framework had laid importance on education, health, agriculture, energy, tourism, urban infrastructure, finance and digital foundation sectors.

The fourth National ICT Day 2021 is being celebrated with the theme that the development of information and communication technology is the base for a prosperous Nepal.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Oli officially launched the ‘Nagarik App’. He also opened a bank account at Nepal Bank and Siddhartha Bank through the app to mark the occasion. The prime minister said that the app had been launched with an aim to provide all government-related services through one platform.

At present, a service seeker can obtain Permanent Account Number (PAN), open a bank account, pay vehicle taxes and update the KYC form through the app. People can also obtain police clearance report and services related to health insurance, Citizen Investment Trust and Employees Provident Fund via the Nagarik App. Service seekers can also view details of their educational certificates in the app. The government will be adding more services to the app in the coming days.