Jurisdiction for newly formed Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

Kathmandu, May 15: The government has formed a new ministry focusing on science, technology and innovation by allocating specific jurisdiction and targeted areas.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has been formally established as per Government of Nepal (Division of Work) Regulations, 2083 BS, which was decided by the Council of Ministers on 13th May and published in the Nepal Gazette.     

The government's decision to advance the science and technology sector through a separate ministry is seen in connection with the long-term development strategy of the state to advance in line with the latest development of science and technology across the country. Currently, Prime Minister Balendra Shah is holding the responsibility of this ministry.     

The newly formed ministry has been given the authority to develop policies, laws and standards related to science, technology and innovation. Likewise, it has been arranged that the responsibility of scientific research, space science and astronomy related studies and research will also be under this ministry.     

The government has stated that the ministry has been formed with the aim of institutionalizing the discovery, research, innovation, promotion and development of science and technology. According to which, the Ministry will collect, process, survey and set standards for science and technology related data. Similarly, the responsibility of establishing, managing and regulating the statistical system related to the quality and use of nuclear technology and radioactive materials has also been assigned to the new ministry.     

This ministry will also look after the use, promotion, control and regulation of biological and nuclear technology. Ozone layer study, solar radiation measurement and information flow, calibration and verification of scientific equipment, use and regulation of chemical substances are also included in the scope of the ministry.     

The government has also prioritized the management of nuclear energy and nuclear materials. The Ministry will discover, recover and manage nuclear materials and waste resources and will also be responsible for policies, laws, standards, implementation and regulation related to nuclear energy.     

Matters related to Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Nepal Forensic Science Laboratory, Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum will also be under this ministry. Innovation, technological development and industrial modernization have also been kept as top priorities of the ministry.     

The ministry has been given the responsibility of studying, researching and using the latest concepts such as 'Industry 4.0' and 'Industry 5.0' in the industry and business sector from the development, improvement and use of goods and services, processes, technology and design.     

Similarly, the Ministry has also assigned the authority to draft and sign treaties, agreements, contact and coordinate with national and international organizations related to science and technology. Since the science and research sector in Nepal has been affected by lack of budget, policy ambiguity and the problem of skilled manpower migration for a long time, it is expected that the targeted results could be achieved in this sector after the formation of the new ministry.(RSS)