Kathmandu: The government has decided to endorse the 'National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, 2082 BS. The Policy presented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology before the government was approved by the August 11 Cabinet meeting. 



Minister for Communications and Information and government Spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung shared this unveiling the decisions of the Council of Ministers today. The meeting also decided to appoint Sandip Rai of Panchthar district as the new General Manager of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). 



The post had remained vacant for over a month after the then GM retired completing a four-year term at the office. Similarly, as per the Cabinet decision, now motor vehicles are liable for charges while using the Nagdhunga expressway. 



As decided, the charge is Rs 65 for a car and van while coming to Kathmandu and Rs 60 while going outside, it is Rs 125 and Rs 80, respectively, for minibus and truck, Rs 260 and Rs 200 for bus and truck, respectively, and Rs 600 and Rs 250 respectively for heavy vehicles. 



Similarly, the meeting granted permission to Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh for Switzerland visit from August 31 to September 6 to participate in a "Study Tour on Inter-Governmental Cooperation and Competition in the Swiss Federal System". 



The other decisions include the approval for the participation of Deputy Auditor General Bindu Bista to attend Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) event scheduled to take place in the Philippines from September 22–26 this year and receive a grant assistance of 90 million US dollars (approximately Rs 12.5 billion) from the South Korean government for the infrastructure development project of Gandaki Technical School. 



As per the Cabinet approval, the minimum support price of the Mota (coarse) unhusked rice in the current fiscal year has been set at Rs 3,463.81 per quintal and Rs 3,628.33 per quintal for medium rice. 



The meeting granted the permission to the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation to participate in the "Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference 2025" to be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from September 16–18 this year and the participation of the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport in the Asia- Pacific Regional Road Safety Conference set to take place on September 9-11 in Manila of the Philippines. 



As per the meeting decision, the Minster for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will be representing the country in the Forty-Second ICAO Assembly to be held from September 23 to October 3 in Montreal of Canada. The meeting also endorsed the proposal to add 725 temporary posts of officer-level for various bodies under the Minister of Labour, Transport and Social Security for the fiscal year 2082-83 BS (2025-26).

Nepal government endorses National AI Policy

Kathmandu: Today's meeting of the House of Representatives has passed the 'Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill-2082' unanimously. 



Though the proposal seeking its passage was tabled in yesterday's meeting it could not be passed for lack of quorum, said Speaker Devraj Ghimire. 



He mentioned that a programme was set to table a bill related to ship in the parliament, but was removed from agenda. Earlier, speaking during special hour, Sita Mijar of the Nepali Congress said people from Dalit and underprivileged suffer from the natural disaster, adding many from those communities are unable to exercise their rights ensured by the constitution. 



The HoR will meet next at 1:00 pm on August 20.

Nepali parliament pass Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill

Kathmandu: The District Police Range has received a maximum number of cases related to the banking fraud in the last fiscal year. 



A total of 12,915 cases related to banking fraud and financial crime were registered in the Range in the last one year, according to the Chief of the Range, Bishow Adhikari. 



The Range shared that the offences related to embezzlement of cooperatives' money, cybercrime, cheque bounce and crypto currency have increased. The Range has received 35 cases in an average each day. 



Chief of the Range, Adhikari shared that a total of 140 cases of murder were received in the last fiscal year.

Cases of banking frauds, financial crimes up in Kathmandu

Kathmandu: 



Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has announced that the government will implement the Digital Nepal Framework (DNF) 2.0 within this year.



Speaking at a meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly on Tuesday, Gurung said the updated framework has been prepared and will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers for endorsement. DNF 2.0 expands on the first version, launched in 2076 BS, by including sectors such as agriculture, health, education, urban infrastructure, energy, tourism, finance, and digital foundations.



The government has estimated a budget of Rs 107.50 billion for the plan, which aims to serve as a foundation for Nepal’s economic transformation. Gurung noted that no foreign assistance has been received for the initiative, and the Ministry will proceed with enforcement independently, forming a committee led by the Chief Secretary to coordinate efforts.



He added that a separate policy document on artificial intelligence is also awaiting Cabinet approval, which is expected to enhance the framework’s effectiveness. The Ministry is working to expand 4G access nationwide, roll out 5G services from Kathmandu and Pokhara, and digitize the Postal Service Department and data centers.



At the meeting, Ministry Secretary Radhika Aryal outlined recent law and policy reforms, while Joint Secretary Kosh Hari Niraula stressed the need for staff to upgrade their skills. Postal Service Director General Manmaya Pangeni Bhattarai reported significant improvements in postal services compared to the past.

Digital Nepal Framework 2.0 to be enforced this year: Minister Gurung

Kathmandu: National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has shared that inclusive, equitable and creative use of technology was indispensable for the preservation of identity, language and culture of the indigenous nationalities. 



Addressing a programme organised at Basantapur Dabali on the occasion of 31st International Day of the World Indigenous People, Chairman Dahal opined that indigenous knowledge, tradition, language, music, script, art and cultural heritages of the indigenous nationalities could be documented, preserved and promoted through artificial intelligence (AI). 



"Our languages, our stories and our prospective are not in AI database. It's time to utilize technology in our favour. Otherwise, there is a risk of further exclusion and discrimination," he mentioned. The NA Chairman argued that there could arise more challenges than the opportunities if active participation of the indigenous nationalities was not ensured in technology. 



Presenting an example of positive use of technology, he stated that containing Nepal Bhasa, a language of Newar Community, in Google translate is a successful effort to expand linguistic identity at the international level. 



On the occasion, special presentation of the Newari language and food items of Tharu Community were performed. Likewise, Dahal opined that inclusion, federalism, republic and secularism should be implemented for the welfare of indigenous nationalities. "Guarantee of cultural rights of the indigenous nationalities in the process of transforming diversity into unity is mandatory," he mentioned.

Utilization of technology needed for culture preservation, says NA Chairman Dahal

Kathmandu: 



The Ministry of Health and Population has mandated all federal hospitals in Nepal to implement digital payment systems, including online and QR-based transactions, for all billing services.



The directive, issued on Wednesday, aligns with Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel’s broader initiative to digitize federal hospital services and improve service delivery. In an official circular sent to all federal hospitals and institutions, the Ministry instructed immediate arrangements for digital payment facilities.



Minister Paudel has introduced a nine-point reform plan focused on managing hospital crowds and enhancing patient experience. As part of the plan, he has directed hospital administrators to minimize queues and simplify the payment process for patients.



The Quality Measurement and Regulation Division of the Ministry has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of the directive and is preparing to conduct monitoring visits to ensure compliance.



Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki confirmed that digital payment is part of the hospitals’ nine-point commitment to improve service delivery. He said the Ministry will enforce stricter monitoring to ensure that the reforms, particularly crowd management and digital payment integration, are effectively implemented.

All Federal Hospitals in Nepal to Implement Online Payment System

Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the 'digital divide' has become a very serious problem all over the world, and ways to reduce it a matter of concern for everyone. 



Sharing experience of his participation, in four international conferences on IT and related issues held in the recent past in Nepal, Japan, Switzerland and China, with RSS Sub-editor Madhu Shahi, Minister Gurung said as digital divide is also an issue linked with the Sustainable Development Goals no one should be left without access to the internet and information technology, Stating that physical infrastructure is necessary for the development of the information technology sector in Nepal, Minister Gurung said he has called for investment from countries and organisations alike taking part in those conferences. 



"We also lack skilled human resources in IT sector, including those required to form a research group to start the '5G' network," he said. Therefore, I have called for support for the development of the information technology sector in Nepal at all the international conferences and meetings I have attended. 



Urging for support in the establishment of a data center in the cold areas around the mid-hill highway of Nepal, during the conferences Minister Gurung argued that it would be appropriate to establish a data center in such elevation since there is no need to use additional electricity for cooling. 



"If this happens, Nepal can develop as a ‘hub’ of information technology," he added. Sharing that Nepal has started a digital literacy campaign in 35,000 secondary schools in the country, Minister Gurung said he has urged international organizations such as International Telecommunications Union to support the campaign. 



As access to the Internet has now been established as a human right, Nepal is also continuously waging a campaign to increase internet access to every citizen in the country. Stating that he spoke about Nepal's efforts to have its own satellites during the ITU conference in Geneva, Minister Gurung shared that all the required basic and policy aspects for satellites will be developed this year. 



"We have also obtained a satellite orbital slot that matches the latitude and longitude of Nepal." The Minister who represented Nepal in the recent 'World AI Conference 2025: High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance' held in Shanghai of China said that Nepal's participation was highly recognized during the event where Chinese Premier Li Qiang put his comprehensive and valuable statements on the use of AI, its development and innovation. 



As the Minister said, China has suggested about the possibility of an 'unilateral' use of AI by specific countries, further leading an increased gap between the rich and poor nations, a major hurdle to sustainable economic development and its stability. 



During the event, the Chinese Premier echoed the need of a coordinating development mechanism for AI innovation and its implementation to prove that " AI is for All'. As the Minister, he realised that such approach is capable of directly benefiting Nepal like country when Nepal prioritised the implementation of the Digital Nepal Framework. 



This framework has proposed to use AI for agriculture, health, tourism, agriculture, environment, industries as well as disaster management, he added. The Minister shared with the Conference that e-governance, the establishment of data center and the knowledge park are priorities of Nepal. 



As the Minister said, through China's journey towards innovative prosperity, it has been proved that IT is a major basis for nation's development. He said, "Nepal could learn from China that visionary government and leadership are essential for development," adding that a stable, competent, and efficient bureaucracy is equally necessary for any nation to transform into a prosperous and well-governed country. 



He also acknowledged that Nepal is far behind of China in terms of IT innovation and its use. As a result, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has been drafting the AI policy and it has planned to conclude the drafting all relevant laws, acts and policies within the current fiscal year. 



Speaking about government initiatives aimed at developing Nepal as an 'IT Hub,' he said that the government has prioritized infrastructure development, a pre-requisite to achieve this goal. He also highlighted the importance of having a stable government, similar to that of China, to successfully realize any long-term development vision. 



Talking about the significance of the Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS) for achieving e-governance, the Minister argued, "We have failed to make significant progress in development due to our tendency to limit ourselves to small goals." 



As he said, offices at all levels from federal to local have been urged to connect with the GIOMS. He also encouraged adopting ambitious plans without hesitation. "Uniformity across our official websites is essential. We have planned to implement the GIOMS campaign nationwide. 



If successfully executed, it will mark a significant achievement in maintaining governance, delivering public services promptly, and increasing revenue collection," the Minister concludes. 



During the recent past, CIT Minister Gurung attended the 34th APTT Wireless Group (AWP-34) hosted by the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) from March 31 to April 4 in Kathmandu, the Asia-Pacific Telecommunication Ministerial Meeting (APT-MM 2025) in Tokyo, Japan on May 29, 30, and 31, the ‘World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Plus 20 High-Level Event 2025’ held in Geneva, Switzerland from 7-11 July 2025 and the ‘World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance’ 2025 held on July 26 in Shanghai, China.



- RSS

Nepal, an appropriate location for data centre, says CIT Minister Gurung

Kathmandu: Nepal Rastra Bank has unveiled its monetary policy for the fiscal year 2082/83 (2025/26), introducing a major reform to integrate the national identity card system with the country’s banking sector.



According to the new policy, banks and financial institutions will be able to obtain Know Your Customer (KYC) information directly through the national ID system. Once a customer updates their details at one bank, other banks and related institutions will be able to access that data electronically through a centralized system.



The central bank aims to usher Nepal’s financial system into a new phase using modern technology, focusing on digital infrastructure, a robust payment system, and innovation.

NRB to integrate National ID with banking dector

Kathmandu:



WorldLink Communications Limited, Nepal’s largest internet service provider, has established the 'WorldLink Museum' to commemorate its historic milestones, technological contributions, and journey of growth. The museum, located at the company’s head office premises in Kusunti, Lalitpur, was officially inaugurated on Friday.



The inauguration ceremony was attended by WorldLink Chairman Dilip Agrawal, Co-founder and Executive Director Manoj Agrawal, and Chief Executive Officer Keshav Nepal.



The museum showcases a wide range of outdated yet historically significant equipment used throughout WorldLink’s technological journey — from the early days of email and dial-up internet to VSAT, wireless, cable internet, and FTTH services. These devices, though no longer in use, serve as crucial reminders of Nepal’s internet evolution.



According to the company, the museum has been established for educational, observational, and research purposes. It aims to serve as a shared learning space for students, researchers, historians, journalists, and technology enthusiasts to understand the progression of internet technology in Nepal and WorldLink’s pivotal role in it.



Company spokesperson Kiran Raj Gautam stated that the museum will be open to college students for visits every Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM.



WorldLink has played a key role in expanding digital access across Nepal—from remote villages to urban centers. The museum reflects this legacy and is envisioned as a tribute to the company's decades-long contribution to Nepal’s technological development.

WorldLink establishes 'WorldLink Museum' to preserve Nepal’s internet history

Lalitpur: A new study has revealed that 85 percent of Nepali parents have never discussed online sexual exploitation and abuse with their children, raising concerns about the level of awareness and preparedness among families in protecting children in the digital space.



The research, conducted by ChildSafeNet, was formally launched at an event in Lalitpur. Titled “Enhancing the Role of Parents in Protecting Children from Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Nepal,” the study was unveiled jointly by Indra Devi Dhakal, Member-Secretary of the National Child Rights Council, and Anil Raghuvanshi, Founder and Chairperson of ChildSafeNet.



Speaking at the event, Dhakal emphasized the growing risks children face due to increased online access and rapid technological development, stressing the crucial role of parents in ensuring children's safety. She commended ChildSafeNet’s leadership in addressing such a sensitive and pressing issue.



The study was carried out in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts using a mixed-methods approach, including a survey of 900 parents of children aged 6 to 17, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with parents, children, experts, and stakeholders. The research was supported by the Safe Online Fund and the Tech Coalition.



Lead researcher and primary author Anil Raghuvanshi said the study examined parents’ understanding, attitudes, and behaviors in keeping their children safe from online sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). It also captured the experiences of single parents, caregivers of children with disabilities, and others in vulnerable situations.



“While many parents expressed concern about online risks, they also reported lacking the knowledge, information, and support needed to protect their children effectively,” Raghuvanshi said.



Tulsa Khadka, co-author of the report, highlighted that even though many children do not own mobile devices, they frequently use the internet through family members’ phones. “Forty-five percent of children use their own devices, while 34 percent have their own social media accounts. Around 29 percent use family members' accounts, with most accessing their mother’s account,” she said.



The study found that most parents were unaware of their children’s online activities, leaving them vulnerable to adult content, online grooming, and other risks. Additionally, many parents had limited understanding of issues such as online grooming, child sexual abuse, and exposure to explicit content.



Sulav Ratna Bajracharya, another co-author, noted that 85 percent of parents had never spoken to their children about CSEA. Reasons included discomfort, lack of information, and the belief that such discussions were not age-appropriate. The research also shed light on discrimination faced by queer children, including hatred and abuse from within their own families.



The study also included parental suggestions for digital safety education and technical solutions. Seventy-three percent of parents had never used any parental control tools, while 70 percent said they preferred in-person awareness sessions led by cyber safety experts. Additionally, 31 percent favored tools such as videos, apps, online courses, websites, and printed materials like brochures and booklets.



At the launch event, parenting educator Disu Bhandari Manandhar and pediatric surgeon Dr. Nrupesh Rajbhandari engaged in a fireside chat to discuss how parents can play a more active and informed role in protecting children from online sexual harm.

Majority of Nepali parents never discuss online sexual exploitation with their children: Study

Kathmandu: The Patan High Court has issued a directive ordering the government to lift restrictions on the import and sale of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes.



A Division Bench comprising Justices Kabi Prasad Neupane and Hemant Rawal delivered the verdict in response to a writ petition filed by Vape Mandu Traders against multiple government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Health, the Department of Customs, and the Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection.



The court’s ruling effectively paves the way for the resumption of vape imports and sales in Nepal, reversing a de facto ban imposed by government agencies in recent months.



The ban originated from a circular issued by the National Health Education, Information and Communication Center under the Ministry of Health and Population. Citing Sub-rule 3 of Rule 28 of the Tobacco Products Control and Regulation Directive, 2015, the circular instructed relevant authorities to prohibit the production, import, distribution, public consumption, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes.



Following the circular, customs offices began halting the clearance of imported vapes, disrupting the vape trade nationwide.



However, the High Court ruled that the government's actions lacked sufficient legal grounds to justify a blanket ban. The verdict now requires the concerned government offices to resume processing vape imports and to cease enforcement of the restrictions.



Government data reveals a growing market for electronic cigarettes in Nepal. In the fiscal year 2023/24, customs revenue from vape-related imports exceeded Rs 230 million, underscoring the sector’s expanding commercial footprint.



The decision is expected to have wide-reaching implications for public health policy and regulatory enforcement, as well as for businesses engaged in the vape trade.

Patan High Court overturns government ban on vapes

Kaski: The Supreme Court has asked the Gandaki Provincial Government not to suspend the enforcement of the ‘Ride Sharing’ regulations. Responding to a writ petition filed against the provincial government’s decision to suspend the implementation of the Ride Sharing regulations, the court issued an order in the name of the provincial government to not implement its decision to suspend the regulations for a month. The division bench of Supreme Court Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Mahesh Sharma Poudel handed down the order on Tuesday. This has paved the way for implementation of the Ride Sharing Regulations in the Province, Chief Attorney of the Gandaki Provincial Government, Chiranjivi Sharma said. It may be noted that the Ride Sharing (Regulation and Management) Regulations-2082 was introduced by the Province Government and published it in the Provincial Gazette on May 13. But the Federation of Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs staged a nationwide public transport strike against the Regulations, following which the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers wrote to the Gandaki Provincial Government to suspend the implementation of the Regulations. Accordingly, the provincial government decided to suspend the regulations for one month on June 3.

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