Minister Kharel pledges to resolve MDMS stalemate

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 21: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel has said that the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) has been entangled in a web of corruption and expressed his determination to tear through that web.

Inaugurating the second convention and third general assembly of the Kathmandu chapter of the Nepal Mobile Entrepreneurs’ Association in Kathmandu on Saturday, he said that he would work to resolve the issue.

Speaking at the programme, President of Nepal Mobile Entrepreneurs’ Federation Bharat Bhattarai said the MDMS has created confusion in the sector, and maintained that the system either be fully implemented or scrapped altogether. He also stressed the need to test the quality of mobile phones and accessories available in the market.

Kathmandu district president of the Federation Suresh Baniya said that legalising the trade of second-hand mobile phones would expand Nepal’s revenue base and help ensure that money remained within the country. He added that while some mobile accessories are produced domestically, imported goods continue to be prioritised, and urged the government to give preference to Nepali products.

Likewise, Minister Kharel said that the mobile phone business is not only boosting the national economy but is also playing the role of a social bridge by connecting people and relationships.

He stated that millions of young people from Gen-Z are engaged in the mobile business sector across the country, which has also created employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of youths within Nepal. 

According to him, the government is prepared to address the problems faced by mobile entrepreneurs.

Highlighting that the mobile business has generated domestic employment for millions of young Gen-Z youths, he expressed confidence that the government would take initiatives to address the concerns of business operators.

Stressing that the country demands change, he said that the current situation, where more than 2,000 youths leave the country every day, must be reversed through collective effort. “The reason this country has not progressed is not a lack of good intentions, but the tendency to search for ‘our own people’, driven by individual, factional and vested interests. Let us think carefully when casting our votes, so that we do not end up regretting for five years after voting for the wrong candidate,” he said.

Similarly, Minister Kharel said the government is working to promote good governance, control corruption, and create an environment conducive to holding elections on time.

Meanwhile, Minister Kharel has said the government is working to move Nepal forward on the digital path.

Addressing the Startup Summit–2025, organised jointly by The Startup Network Nepal and the India Nepal Centre in Lalitpur on Saturday, he said the government endorsed the AI policy within three months of its formation and was now preparing the necessary policy frameworks for Digital Nepal. 

He said, "Along with the development of information technology and the building of Digital Nepal, we must move forward together with the younger generation."

He urged the youth to come forward with proposals on how they want to work with the government in innovation, startups, entrepreneurship, and information technology. He expressed readiness to work in partnership and create opportunities. 

Kharel said the government wants to work with a clear focus on information technology, AI, and the digital pathway, and expressed confidence that the needs of young people would be incorporated at the policy level. “The state has recognised the Gen-Z movement as a people’s movement. Political awareness among Gen-Z in Nepal has significantly developed; therefore, we can bring about changes,” he said.

He also noted that although it would have been appropriate to enable voting through the use of information technology in the election scheduled for March 5, this was not possible this time due to a lack of consensus among political parties.

 Describing the upcoming election as a crucial opportunity to choose the right leadership, he urged stakeholders to help produce and promote capable leaders.

“Now is the time for young leadership to emerge. Youth must take the lead. The time for political change is approaching, and we must remain optimistic,” he said.

Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal and Chair of the India Nepal Centre, Manjeev Singh Puri, said that technology is transforming the world and stressed the need to properly utilise young minds to work in line with changing times.

Similarly, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Birendra Raj Pandey said that not only startups but also small businesses are becoming a strong pillar of the future economy.