Speaking at a program organized by Enter Nepal in the capital on Sunday, lawmakers and experts working in ICT sector said existing powerful structure should not be dissolved to pave the way for formation of weaker institution.[break]
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) had forwarded a proposal to the cabinet last week, demanding dissolution of the commission.
“There is no point in forming a weaker institution by dissolving an effective structure,” said Bimal Sharma, founding president of Computer Association of Nepal (CAN).
Lawmaker Krishna Prasad Sapkota said even the formation of a separate department for information and technology cannot justify dissolution of the commission.
Ananda Raj Khanal, director of Nepal Telecommunication Authority, said the decision could impact investment in the ICT sector. “The commission was a turning point in ICT investment, as it showed the government´s direct involvement in the sector,” he added.
The Development Committee of the parliament a few days ago had requested the MoST to stop all the initiatives taken to dissolve the HLCIT.
The commission is headed by the Prime Minister and works as an apex body for formulating appropriate policy for the development of ICT sector.
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