Minister Gurung: Communication sector will be managed through legal updates

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung said that the government was actively working towards systematizing the communication sector through updated legislation.

In a press conference, organized by the Press Chautari Nepal, Gandaki Province chapter in Pokhara city on Staurday, Minister Gurung mentioned that most of the communication-related laws in the country were outdated. Thus, he shared, that the incumbent government was moving towards devising new legislation and revising the outdated laws to further streamline the communication sectors.

According to him, state-owned media sectors such as Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Radio Nepal, Nepal Television, and Gorkhapattra and Postal Services were operating by the aging laws and thus highlighted the need for amending those as per the need.

On the occasion, he said that the Acts related to the regulation of social media and cybercrime were near completion. Furthermore, the Minister said that the Bills relating to the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), and Media Council were under deliberation at present.

He stated that the government was making efforts to make Nepal Television and Radio Nepal autonomous and citizen-friendly to some extent by passing the PSB Bill. Emphasizing the need for the government of Nepal to have its satellite, Gurung argued it would reflect Nepal’s identity and self-dignity. The Minister shared that the government of Nepal was moving forward as per the vision of Digital Nepal to achieve notable outcomes in the areas of good governance, prosperity, and effective delivery of the government.

In a similar vein, the Minister outlined the government’s plan to print essential documents such as passports, driving licenses, and excise duty stickers domestically within a year through the security printing press. ‘I am committed to delivering on these works within a year. The government is also planning to print banknotes within the country,’ he vowed.

Minister Gurung said that his Ministry had aimed at providing 4G internet throughout the country and 5G within the major cities across the country in the current fiscal year, 2024/25. ‘The government is also working on the frameworks for implementation of plans and projects to boost tourism destinations,’ he added.

He informed that efforts were being made to introduce the Federal Police Act and Federal Civil Service Act within this ongoing fiscal year for the effective implementation of federalism. On a different note, the Minister, also the Spokesperson of the government, assured that the current coalition would remain intact till the next parliamentary election in 2084 BS. It may be noted that his party- the CPN (UML) – allied with the biggest political party in the parliament Nepali Congress- to form the incumbent government obtaining support from some fringe parties.

Minister Gurung argued the journalism sector could focus on developmental endeavors and positive aspects of society rather than highlighting negativity. As for the stance taken by the current Chief Minister (CM) of Gandaki Province, Minister Gurung, who also hailed from the same Province and helmed the Province as its CM in the past, suggested that the provincial government should be reconstituted. He pointed out the need for politicians to honestly adhere to the culture of alliances and political values.

RSS