Govt rolls out 100-point digital reform

KATHMANDU: The government has officially kicked off a major administrative reform, prioritizing digital governance and data management through a 100-point action plan.

Approved at the Cabinet’s first meeting last Friday, the agenda mandates the immediate closure of gambling-related apps and websites, with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology taking the lead and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority instructed to block betting platforms within 24 hours.

The reforms aim to make public services faster, transparent, paperless, and interconnected. The existing Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS) will be strengthened and made more user-friendly within 100 days.

Citizens’ data will be collected once and shared across agencies, while government apps and portals will be simplified for easier access.

Key measures include enabling online applications through citizen apps, implementing auto-fill systems, and allowing digital submission of police reports, passports, and driving licenses within 45 days.

Where physical presence is required, an online appointment system will be rolled out within three months.

The government is also expanding digital signature systems, allowing services to be accessed via e-signatures through NID cards, biometrics, or OTP authentication.

A file-tracking system will alert users automatically if delays occur, to be implemented within 30 days. Certificates will be available for online download within 15 days, alongside improvements to employee digital profiles and the ‘Hello Government’ system.

Policies and laws on digital governance and personal data protection are slated for drafting within 60 days, and a new independent regulatory authority for ICT and digital governance is under preparation.

The government also plans to finalize the Information Technology and Electronic Governance Bill and the National Enterprise Architecture Framework within 60 days.

A “National Integrated Digital Governance Platform” will be established to offer all services through a single platform, with the National Data Exchange platform set to begin operations within 100 days.

Additionally, the Cabinet plans to establish an Office of IT and E-Governance under the Prime Minister’s Office, dissolve the existing IT Department, and integrate all related agencies within three months.