CIT Minister Sharma urges ISPs to manage internet cables

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Apr. 24: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has urged the internet service providers (ISPs) to manage the cables in the urban areas.

She made the appeal at a discussion with the office bearers of the Internet Service Providers' Association of Nepal (ISPAN).

Minister Sharma asked them for initiating cable management from Kathmandu.

"You have initiated managing internet cables at places such as Singh Durbar, Thamel, Tokha in Kathmandu and some places in Lalitpur, and proved that it is possible when there is willingness to do. It is time that you all contributed to beautification by managing cables in other places," she said.

She assured them of solving problems related to the government policy and rules in this regard. She was of the view that laws related to the internet as formulated in the past needed to be updated for ensuring development of the sector, according to the secretariat of the Minister.

"We are even ready for revision of the tax base made in the past," she told the ISPAN delegation.

On their part, ISPAN members said that service charge could be reduced if the government slashes the tax on internet which in some cases equals to that of alcohol, 33%.

They complained that problems had been multiplied as the local levels were also collecting tax from them for internet connection.

In response, Minister Sharma said there can be no double taxation violating the constitution, and that problems related to tax collection by the local levels can be solved by means of coordination.