KATHMANDU, August 24: The government is going to start security printing from the current financial year. Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki shared that security materials will be printed within Nepal with the establishment of a security printing in this financial year.

Releasing a booklet of major achievements executed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) and its subordinate agencies in the Financial Year 2021/22 on Tuesday, Minister Karki said that security printing press has been established to print security documents such as passports, postage stamps, excise stickers etc. within the country. He said that the Ministry is always ready and committed to providing simple, convenient and effective services to people.

Minister Karki shared that the fourth generation Internet "4G" service has been extended to 735 out of the 753 local levels in the country.

According to the Ministry's progress booklet, 1,642 km of optical fiber was installed in the last financial year, taking the total installed optical fiber to 12,224 kms.

Communication Minister Karki said that the MoCIT programs are aimed at strengthening means of mass communication, development, expansion and use of information technology and the timely improvement of postal services

In the financial year 2021/22, the major achievements of the MoCIT and subordinate agencies were in policy, legal, telecommunication, information technology, mass media, postal service, film and printing sectors. The booklet shares that an integrated action plan for the implementation of the annual policy and program and budget has been developed while an objective evaluation system is put in place for the effective implementation of the action plan.

45 services being rendered through Nagarik App

Minister Karki shared that the Nagarik App had been upgraded from time to time and a total of 45 services are being rendered through the App at present. All services by the Department of Information and Broadcasting have gone fully digital.

The Integrated Work Management System is implemented in six subordinate bodies of the Ministry to realize the goal of 'Paperless Government', Minister Karki said. Through the Integrated Gateway, one can send SMS to the government agencies for Rs 20 paisa.

This service will be extended to additional 20 government agencies within the Singha Durbar complex during the ongoing fiscal year, it was shared. To implement the 'Right to Information' by ensuring the public's easy access to information on public affairs and concerns, a bulletin containing information on the activities of the Ministry would be published quarterly.

Furthermore, the Ministry has prioritized establishment of 'Cinema Story Bank' in all seven provinces to promote and streamline the film sector adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

Prospective film shooting spots would be explored in all seven provinces and developed accordingly. Identity cards for senior cine artistes were put in place while preparation was underway to implement e-commerce in postal administration to further streamline the sector.

Seven billion revenue collected

Over Rs 7.6 billion was collected in revenue by the Ministry and its subordinate bodies in the last fiscal year. Of the total revenue, the Ministry alone collected Rs 6.94 billion in revenue.

Thanks to the facilitation by the Ministry, the Nepal Telecommunications Company Limited earned Rs 8.38 billion as net profit the last fiscal year which is Rs 260 million higher than the profit in the corresponding year.

Of the total budget (Rs 7.56 billion) allocated for the Ministry and related agencies for the last fiscal year, Rs 5.59 billion allocated under current expenditure out of which 85.3 percent was spent.

Similarly, of the Rs 1.96 billion allocated under the capital expenditure, 67.25 percent was spent during the last fiscal year. There are a total of 18 agencies under the Ministry including state-owned media houses such as RSS.

The Ministry functions as the Liaison Ministry of the National Information Commission.

 
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