HoR members stresses on forwarding cyber security bill

Kathmandu: Lawmakers have laid emphasis on the need of forwarding the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill for its relevance.

During the discussion on the proposal presented seeking consideration on the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill, 2082 in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, they opined that the bill was necessary for ensuring cyber security in the country.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, had tabled a proposal seeking consideration over the bill in the HoR meeting. Responding to queries raised by lawmakers, Minister Gurung shared that another bill related to digital platform is at the National Assembly.

He opined that the law moving forward in technology is necessary, adding another law related to artificial intelligence was a must. Lawmakers Urmila Majhi, Dipa Sharma, Narayani Sharma, Sunita Baral, Ranendra Baraili, Rana Kumari Balamphaki Magar, Hitraj Pandey, Rama Koirala, Thakur Prasad Gaire, Prakash Jwala, Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh, among others put forth their views on the bill.

Taking part in discussion, they argued that the bill was brought on right time as cyber security was necessary, but social media platforms should not be controlled in the name of regulation, human resources should be managed while adopting AI and laws should be made without affecting fundamental human rights including right to information and right to privacy.

In the meantime, lawmaker Gyanu Basnet Subedi demanded to count the number of lawmakers, saying the meeting did meet the required quorum. Only 66 lawmakers were present at the time though as one-fourth (69) lawmakers are required to be present while presenting any proposal for a decision.

As a result, the meeting was postponed. The HoR meeting will take place at 1:00 pm on Thursday.

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