Kathmandu- Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has made public the achievements of his ministry during his first three months in office, claiming notable progress across telecommunications, information technology, media, postal services, printing, and film sectors.
Organising a press conference at Singha Durbar on Sunday, Minister Kharel shared a list of 30 achievements, stating that the progress was made despite various operational and policy challenges. “These achievements have been gained amid difficulties. We will continue to work honestly in the coming days,” he said.
Among the major accomplishments highlighted were online registration and renewal services from the Department of Information and Broadcasting, printing of driving licences through the Security Printing Press, expansion of communication access in remote areas, and extension of 4G services up to the Sagarmatha Base Camp.
The minister also cited the launch of NTV World, the declaration of late journalist Suresh Rajak as a martyr, and the publication of news and content in the Kulung language through Gorkhapatra as notable milestones.
Other initiatives include the provision of free internet services at 10 public locations within Kathmandu Valley, with preparations underway to install Wi-Fi at 29 additional locations outside the Valley. Honouring journalists injured during the Gen Z movement and affiliating journalists and staff of state-owned media with the Social Security Fund were also listed among the achievements.
Government plans to register and list online televisions
Minister promises equal incentives but cites lack of data as challenge
Minister Kharel further informed that the government is preparing to register and formally list online television platforms to strengthen professional security and institutional development in the digital media sector.
Speaking during an interaction with online TV journalists at the ministry, he pledged that online TVs and their journalists would receive state incentives equal to mainstream media. However, he acknowledged that the absence of accurate data on the number of online televisions and journalists has hampered the distribution of public welfare advertisements and government incentives.
