Security printing to start from this fiscal year

Kathmandu, Aug. 23: The government is going to start security printing from the current financial year. Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki shared that security materials will be printed with the establishment of a security printing in this financial year.

Releasing a booklet of major achievements executed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and its subordinate agencies in the financial year 2021/22 here today, Minister Karki said that Security Printing press has been established to print security documents such as passports, postage stamps, excise stickers etc. within the country. He said that the Ministry is always ready and committed to providing simple, convenient and effective services to the people. 

The CIT Minister shared that the fourth generation Internet "4G" service has been extended to 735 out of the 753 local levels in the country. 

According to the Ministry's progress booklet, 1,642 km of optical fiber was installed in the last financial year, taking the total installed optical fiber at 12,224 kms.

Communication Minister Karki said that the programs of the Ministry of CIT are aimed at the strengthening means of mass communication, development, expansion and use of information technology and the timely improvement of postal services

In the financial year 2021/22, the major achievements of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and subordinate agencies were in policy, legal, telecommunication, information technology, mass media, postal service, film and printing. The booklet also shares that an integrated action plan for the implementation of the annual policy and program and budget has been developed while and an objective evaluation system put in place for the effective implementation of the action plan.

45 services being rendered through Nagarik App

Minister Karki shared that the Nagarik App had been upgraded time to time and a total of 45 services are being rendered through the App at present. All services by the Department of Information and Broadcasting have gone fully digital. 

Integrated Work Management System is implemented in six subordinate bodies of the Ministry to realize the goal of 'Paperless Government', Minister Karki said. Through the Integrated Gateway, one can send SMS to the government agencies for Rs 20 paisa.

This service will be extended to additional 20 government agencies within the Singha Durbar complex during the ongoing fiscal year, it was shared. To implement the 'Right to Information' by ensuring public's easy access to information on public affairs and concerns, bulletin containing information on the activities of the Ministry would be published quarterly.

Furthermore, the Ministry has prioritized establishment of 'Cinema Story Bank' in all seven provinces to promote and streamline the film sector adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prospective film shooting spots would be explored in all seven provinces and developed accordingly. Identity card for senior cine artistes is put in place while preparation was underway to implement e-commerce in postal administration to further streamline the sector.

Audiovisual services in RSS

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba recently inaugurated the newly built office building of the RSS, while audiovisual services have been started from the agency. The only state-owned news agency in the country diversifying its services through the video services has also got a mention as one of the achievements in the book published by the Ministry. 

At present, radio's access is highest at 91 percent among the total population in the country while television has 72 per cent penetration. Gorkhapatra has set up a press at Kohalpur in Banke district and has extended its access to 31 districts in Karnali, Sudurpaschim and Lumbini Provinces. 

Seven billion revenue collected

Over Rs 7.6 billion was collected in revenue by the Ministry and its subordinate bodies in the last fiscal year. Of the total revenue, Ministry alone collected Rs 6.94 billion in revenue. 

Thanks to the facilitation by the Ministry, the Nepal Telecommunications Company Limited earned Rs 8.38 billion as net profit the last fiscal year which is Rs 260 million higher than the profit in the corresponding year. 

Of the total budget (Rs 7.56 billion) allocated for the Ministry and related agencies for the last fiscal year, Rs 5.59 billion allocated under current expenditure out of which 85.3 per cent was spent. 

Similarly, of the Rs 1.96 billion allocated under the capital expenditure, 67.25 per cent was spent during the last fiscal year. There are a total of 18 agencies under the Ministry including state-owned media house such as RSS.

The Ministry functions as the Liaison Ministry of the National Information Commission. (RSS)