KATHMANDU, Oct 30: Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Bahadur Basnet said that the Ministry was preparing to get a strategic partner for the telecommunications sector in the country.

The government aims to achieve the goal of ‘Digital Nepal’ by 2027.

Talking to journalists following a courtesy meeting with a Japanese delegation led by Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Masashi Ogawa, in the capital on Monday, Minister Basnet said that discussion to get a strategic partner for the telecommunications sector of the country was held with the Japanese delegation.

Stating that the telecommunications sector has made significant contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, Minister Basnet reaffirmed that the government had attached high priority to the development of telecommunication sector.

Japanese envoy to Nepal Masashi Ogawa and Global Business Sector of KDDI Corporation CEO Hiroyuki Shisho, among others expressed their interests to be a strategic partner to Nepal’s telecommunications sector and made the proposal for the same, according to the MoIC.

The Ministry has already launched a pilot project in 14 districts of all provinces where free internet services, free computer and printer services in community schools are available.

The government aims to implement computer course in all community schools across the country within three years.

According to Minister Basnet, having a strategic partner in telecommunication system and by adopting modern technologies would help Nepal surmount the geographical challenges as well as natural disasters.

Basnet also shared that the government was preparing to print currencies note, national identity card and passport in the country. RSS

BHAKTAPUR, Oct 18: Minister for Information and Communications, Mohan Bahadur Basnet has asserted on making the House of Representatives and State Assembly elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7 successful through the joint efforts of all.

Speaking during a reception and greetings exchange program organized by the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Bhaktapur branch in Bhaktapur on Wednesday, he said, “The election of the local levels has already been held. It is necessary to conduct the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies for the full implementation of the constitution.”

Stating that the time has come to work for the nation by forsaking personal interest and staying away from accusation and counter-accusations, he said, “This is no time to keep the country in confusion by engaging in party and personal interests.

The country should be taken ahead towards prosperity through the full implementation of the constitution after holding the elections. All sides should be engaged in this.”

Expressing concern over the increase in anomalies in some of the mass media rather than objective and credible news, the Minister for Information and Communications said the media should not shy away from its social responsibility.

Minister Basnet expressed his concern over the tendency of disseminating fake news just to seek revenge just for personal animosity, he said, “Online media except few one are out of the journalism ethics. Some are unregistered and the FNJ role is vital in this context to make media professional by taking them on track.” He said he was ready to sit with the FNJ for discussions so as to seek solution to problems of journalists.

On the occasion, the Minister honored new FNJ office bearers and members.

FNJ Vice- Chair Dilip Thapa Magar and Ramesh Bista called on the government to be serious towards the demands of journalists.

Nepali Congress Bhaktapur district president Durlav Thapa stressed that dissemination of the fact-based news should be the ethnic of journalists.

CPN (Maoist Centre) district coordinator DP Dhakal insisted on the active participation of all to ensure the elections within the scheduled dates.

Bhakatapur’s assistant chief district officer Jay Kumar Ghimire sought the effective role from journalists to ensure the peaceful elections.

FNJ Bhaktaur chapter Puskar Raj Budathoki drew the attention of the government to pay a heed to address the problems of journalists. RSS

KATHMANDU, Sept 22: Minister for Information and Communications, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, has said the government was working to build the communications-friendly atmosphere.

While addressing the 21st anniversary of National Forum of Photo Journalists in Kathmandu on Friday, the Minister viewed that development of communications sector would explore avenues for the overall development of the nation.

“There are many countries and people in the world have accomplished the identities of developed countries and wealthy people due to the development of information technology,” he said.

Expansion of IT network across the country is the priority of the government, according to him. “The government has a plan to ensure the access to telephone in every nook and corner of the country.”

He further added the government was serious about establishing the National Mass Communications Academy and implementing the minimum wages for journalists, and was working accordingly.

The government always admired photo journalists who do their duty risking their lives and it is ever ready to facilitating to address their problems, the Minister said.

FNJ general secretary Ramesh Bista called on the Ministry to ensure professional and life insurance of photojournalists.

The group that was established 21 years ago is now the association of over 400 photo journalists for 31 districts.

On the occasion, five photo journalists Rajendra Chitrakar (Gorkhapatra Daily), Kabindraman Shakya (entertainment), Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, (culture and heritage), Rajesh Gurung (adventure) and Kiran Acharya (tourism) were feted. RSS

BHISMARAJ OJHA/ CB ADHIKARI, KATHMANDU, Sept 14: The government’s 100 days in office have proved meaningful in establishing political stability in the country by increasing the acceptability of the constitution.

At a press conference organized in Singha Durbar Thursday to share information about government ‘achievements’ during its 100 days, known as honeymoon period, Minister for Information and Communications and government spokesperson Mohan Bahadur Basnet said the government’s initiation to hold the elections of all three-levels in course of enforcing the constitution had been taken as the major achievement of the government. Thursday marked the completion of 100 days of Sher Bahadur Deuba-led government in office.

“The government already celebrates the successful completion of the second phase local level elections and preparations for the third round election scheduled for September 18 have been completed,” Minister Basnet said.

“The government has announced dates for the election to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies and necessary preparations for so are going on.”

The government had identified the constitution enforcement process, holding of the elections of all levels, post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, effective delivery of public services and the completion of remaining task of economic prosperity, peace, security and peace process as its priorities since PM Deuba assumed the office on June 7, 2017.

According to Minister Basnet, the government has formulated laws required for holding the all levels of election.
The government has said that currently its focus has been laid on normalizing the life thrown out of gear to floods and landslides triggered areas.

As per the government understanding, the diplomatic relations in the international arena has further strengthened due to high-level visits to India and China.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s visit to Switzerland, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun’s China visit, Prime Minister Deuba’s India visit and Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to India and China and the crucial deals have helped take Nepal’s relations to new height.

Likewise, Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Wang Yang’s Nepal visit and 15th Ministerial Level Meeting of BIMSTEC held in Kathmandu and the decision to hold the BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu in appropriate time are also the matters of pride for Nepal, the government said.

Minister Basnet said that remarkable achievements have been made in the reconstruction of the quake-hit properties.

During the period, better achievements have been obtained in the fields of economic, industries, commerce, energy, agriculture, urban development, irrigation, communications, local and physical infrastructure and roads.

Minister Basnet said that the PM has ensured sufficient means and resources for the projects of national pride and has carried out monitoring of the projects to encourage the stakeholders to complete the task on time.

During the press meet, Deputy Prime Minister Gopalman Shrestha responded to the queries of journalists saying that the government has adopted zero-tolerance against corruption.

KATHMANDU, Aug 3: Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said Nepal is committed to the One-China policy.

In his address to a program organized in the capital on Thursday to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Nepal and China, the Minister said cultural, religious and economic relations existing between the two close neighbors were further getting consolidated.

The program was organized by the Sino Nepal Media Society.

He said, “The Nepal Government is always alert to the possibility of any anti-China activities from the Nepali territory.”

He further said that China’s non-interference in Nepal’s domestic affairs and it reaching the people’s doorsteps at time of natural disasters was testimony that both neighbors had strong, friendly and cordial relations, expressing hope that people-to-people relations in both countries would be more cordial once the neighbors are connected through the remaining 11 transit points.

Also speaking on the occasion, Lawmaker Rupa Maharjan stated that Nepal could take many benefits for China and India and it was always expected to serve as a bridge between the two countries. Nepal had already agreed to be a part of the One Road One Belt concept, a development initiative proposed by China.

China’s Ambassador for Nepal, Yu Hong said Nepal and China had old and deep relations extended to the people’s level. “The Chinese Government is always positive toward the development of Nepal,” she said, recalling the Chinese assistance in the construction of some big projects in Nepal.

Former Ministers for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey and Ramesh Nath Pandey termed the Nepal-China relations unique.
Former Nepali Ambassador to China Tanka Karki and Society Chair Dhruba Poudel insisted that Nepal should always have balanced relations with India and China. RSS

KATHMANDU, August 1: Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Bahadur Basnet has pledged to hold discussions with media houses to ensure the professional rights of working journalists.

Speaking during a program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Tuesday, Basnet committed to provide security and services to the journalists as per the laws.

He vowed to implement the mass media policy and help guarantee the minimum wages to the working journalists. He further expected the watchdog role from the media persons regarding the implementation of the constitution.

Basnet also clarified that the conclusion would be drawn out towards holding elections in one or two rounds after holding wider discussion among the political parties.

“The government is yet to decide officially as consultation with the Election Commission is underway,”  he said.
Informing that the government is making all efforts to take Rastriya Janata Party Nepal on board the local level elections scheduled in Province-2 on coming September 18, he said that the government is commitment to address the demands of RJPN.

There is the need to forge consensus with the main opposition party CPN-UML on the agenda of constitution amendment, Minister said, adding that constitution amendment was not possible by keeping UML outside the process.