Stakeholders have emphasized that digital governance is crucial for the country's economic growth. Speaking at the ‘TechGov Nepal 2025’ program held on Sunday evening, experts highlighted its role in fostering economic development, good governance, efficient service delivery, and social inclusion.
Information technology expert Manohar Bhattarai stressed that digital governance should go beyond administrative functions to drive economic progress. “It must create employment opportunities and bring innovation in key sectors such as agriculture and tourism,” he said. He also noted that digital governance can promote social inclusion by ensuring broader access to essential services like education and healthcare.
Bhattarai further stated that effective implementation requires strong political commitment, from policy formulation to execution. “Digital governance isn’t just a necessity; it demands commitment from political leadership, reflected in policy frameworks, budget allocation, and a clear implementation roadmap,” he added.
Dipesh Bista, Chief Executive Officer of the e-Governance Board, described digital governance as a political issue, emphasizing its direct link to good governance and economic progress. “When data flows seamlessly, service recipients will no longer need to visit offices repeatedly or submit the same information multiple times, leading to faster and more efficient service delivery,” he explained. Bista also highlighted the need for a data exchange platform and pointed to Estonia’s successful digital transformation as an example Nepal could follow.
Legal expert Praveen Subedi underscored the importance of e-governance for individuals going abroad for employment. “The Department of Foreign Employment offers various e-governance services, so migrant workers must be well-informed about them,” he said.
Kedar Bhandari, an engineer at the e-Governance Board, provided updates on the progress of digital governance in Nepal. He stated that a blueprint for e-governance has been developed as a roadmap and is currently under discussion.
During a group discussion at the event, speakers emphasized the vital role of media in promoting and implementing digital governance.
Ramesh Sharma Paudyal, director general of the Department of Information Technology, highlighted that the media is crucial in informing the public about government services.
“The government must ensure that all its services reach citizens through the media, and the media, in turn, should communicate this information in a simple and accessible manner,” he said. He also noted that the media acts as a bridge between the government, businesses, and citizens in the digital governance ecosystem.
Nirmala Sharma, president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, stressed the need for journalists to be well-informed about digital governance. “Media personnel should have adequate knowledge of the subject, and in some cases, training or orientation may be necessary,” she said.
Senior journalist Babita Basnet emphasized that digital literacy is essential for strengthening digital governance. She added that it also plays a key role in reinforcing democracy and making governance more effective. -- RSS
