ICT helps minimize disaster impact: Minister Kharel

Patan (Lalitpur), Dec 19: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has claimed the proper use of information and communication technology helped minimize the impact of disasters- floods and landslides- this time.

Minister Kharel, who is also the government spokesperson, said it during a programme organised by the ICT Foundation here on Friday. “I remember the Gen Z youths who got martyrdom on September 8. The digital Nepal and good governance were envisioned by the youths. Government is with the youths who are committed to innovation,” Minister Kharel said, adding that the government would also consult the ICT award winners of this year.

He suggested that the programme organisers pick the candidate for the awards who would inspire to make the coming March 5 election technology-friendly. According to him, ICT can be utilised for progress in health, education, employment and public service.

On the occasion, Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr Prakash Kumar Shrestha, reminded that the 16th periodic plan had aimed at increasing production and productivity by leveraging ICT.