Postal services will be modernised: Minister Gurung

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 27: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, said that the ministry is actively working to make the postal services democratic and modern.

He emphasised the need to reform the policies that have been operating since the Panchayat era. Minister Gurung revealed his commitment to amending all outdated policies and laws to make them relevant to the current times within this year.

Inaugurating the "One Local Level, One Post Office" establishment programme organised by the Department of Postal Services at the ministry on Sunday, Minister Gurung, who is also the government spokesperson, expressed that the lack of changes in policies and methods alongside the country’s transformation has hindered development processes. 

He said that while Nepal has witnessed political advancements through peaceful revolutions, structural reforms have been neglected.

According to him, postal services are a very old and significant service that needs modernisation and technological adaptation. “Now, the policies of postal services will change,” said Minister Gurung. “Additionally, our ministry is always sensitive to making postal services technology-friendly,” he said.

During the programme, Minister Gurung directed the department to begin the reform process of the service first from the Dillibazar General Post Office. He also urged all postal employees at local levels to make postal services citizen-focused. 

“Start enhancing the efficiency of postal services from the central Dillibazar General Post Office, and other local post office employees should ensure impactful services in their respective areas,” he said. “I am always ready to lead from the ministry and support your work,” said Minister Gurung.

Speaking at the event, Acting Secretary (Joint Secretary) Gajendra Kumar Thakur said that the postal services have been achieving maximum objectives despite limited resources and means. He also mentioned that preparations are underway in the ministry to modernise postal services in line with Minister Gurung’s vision.

Manmaya Bhattarai Pangeni, Director General for the Department of Postal Service, presented the state of the Dillibazar General Post Office, along with challenges and action plans for improving local postal offices, to the Minister.

Likewise, in another context, Minister Gurung said that the erstwhile government disrupted the country's development and governance process just by inviting political instability.

Minister Gurung said that the current government is working to address the disarray left by the previous administration.

He said the government had to introduce ordinances to promptly reform essential sectors. Minister Gurung also advised against misleading people by claiming that the government had been removed due to its attempts to carry out revolutionary work.

He said that although the bureaucracy is the country's permanent government, it has been excessively politicised, prompting the current administration to strive for systematic improvements. He further said that the government is preparing necessary legislation to regulate and penalise those involved in cooperative fraud and to establish a regulatory authority.