Govt enforces DNF 2.0 this year: Minister Gurung

Kathmandu, Aug 12: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has said the Digital Nepal Framework (DNF) 2.0 would be enforced this year.

The DNF 2.0 was prepared and it would be submitted to the Council of Ministers, seeking endorsement for implementation, Minister Gurung shared in the meeting of the Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly today.

The Committee held a meeting to know about the efforts the Ministry was making to adopt and foster digital governance.

There were 80 initiatives under eight major domains in the first version of DNF that was launched in 2076BS. The second version has now included the domains like agriculture, health, education, urban infrastructures, energy, tourism, finance and digital foundation.

For the enforcement of the second version of DNF, the government has estimated the cost of Rs 107.50 billion. The digital framework is forwarded as the basis of Nepal’s economic transformation and prosperity.

Minister Gurung, however, admitted that no foreign aid was received so far to realize the goal of DNF. The DNF 2.0 would be enforced by the Ministry itself. The sectors under the DNF 2.0 should be partnered with the Ministry, he said, adding that a committee would be formed under the coordination of Chief Secretary of Nepal government to this regard.

Another policy document on artificial intelligence (AI) was in line to get endorsed by the Cabinet. It would also make the DNF 2.0 effective, the Minister hoped.

The Ministry was working actively to develop the Postal Service Department as digitization and data centre. The 4G network will be ensured at every doorstep while the 5G network launched from Kathmandu and Pokhara cities.

On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Radhika Aryal shared the law and policy reforms carried out by the Ministry at the meeting. Joint Secretary Kosh Hari Niraula said the employees need additional exercise to keep themselves abreast with time.

Director General at Department of Postal Service, Manmaya Pangeni Bhattarai, informed that the postal service had witnessed tremendous transformation compared to the past.