IT Policy 2010 A.D. of Nepal

Information Technology Policy
Definition
Policies are used to set a standard for performance. Through policy, an organization can develop clear
expectations for students, parents, teachers and administrators. It provides a framework for consistent
actions regardless of district or school in a region, or even state-wide. Federal and state laws set a
policy framework for the use of technology within the school system. All states and school districts are
required to have technology plans in compliance with federal policies.
Why is IT Policy Important?
First and foremost, proper policies protect the institution from non-compliance with the law. Clear
organizational guidelines allow organizational leaders to avoid overlooking any legal imperatives
which might otherwise go unnoticed. In addition, ensuring that persons with disabilities are able to communicate and learn is a moral responsibility. Accessibility benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities.
Vision
“To place Nepal on the global map of information technology within the next five years.”
Background
The world’s least developed countries including Nepal have availed themselves of the opportunity to rapidly develop education, health, agriculture, tourism, trade and various other sectors using information technology (IT). The extensive application of this technology will engender economic consolidation, development of democratic norms and values, proportional distribution of economic resources and enhancement of public awareness, thereby raising living standards and eventually contribute significantly to poverty alleviation. It is the information technology, which will turn out to be a strong infrastructure for mitigating Nepal’s geographical adversities. In the coming years, globally, there will be a significant difference in the economic conditions of the countries developed in the field of information technology and of the countries lagging behind in this field. The persistence of such disparities may not be congenial even for the developed countries. In this context, there is a greater possibility that the international community will extend its support to developing countries in the promotion of information technology. Such assistance will certainly play a vital role in the national development of a least developed country like Nepal. Hence, it has become essential to formulate a policy at the earliest for developing information technology with a view to boosting up national economy.
Objectives
The information technology policy shall be formulated to achieve the following objectives:
 To make information technology accessible to the general public and increase employment through this means,
 To build a knowledge-based society and
 To establish knowledge-based industries
Strategies
 The following information technology strategies shall be adopted to accomplish the above-mentioned objectives through rapid development and extension of information technology in a fair and competitive manner.
 The government shall act as a promoter, facilitator and regulator.
 High priority shall be accorded to research, development and extension of information technology with participation of private sectors.
 Competent manpower shall be developed with the participation of both the public and the private sectors for the sustainable development and extension of information technology.
 Domestic and foreign investment shall be encouraged for the development of information technology and the related infrastructures.
 Information technology industry shall be promoted.
 Speedy and qualitative service shall be made available at a reasonable cost by creating a healthy and competitive atmosphere among information technology service providers.
 Computer education shall be incorporated in academic curriculum starting from the school level.
 Professional efficiency shall be enhanced through the use of information technology.
 Information technology network shall be extended to rural areas.
 Nepal shall be placed on the international market through information technology.
 Export of services related to information technology (software and hardware) shall be increased to 10 billion rupees within the next five years.
 Nepal shall be placed on the global map of information technology.
 E-commerce shall be promoted with legal provisions.
 Information technology shall be used to assist e-governance.
 Information technology shall be applied for rural development.
Challenges:
IT policy is a significant and important step in the right direction towards the developing the ICT sector and represent the society as knowledge based society. But however several challenges have beset Nepal‟s efforts aimed at building upon the initial momentum that it gained in the ICT domain. Due to the lack of political constancy deterred Nepal from effectively capitalizing on the promise Unleashed by digital opportunities as the country found itself confronting a host of competing priorities ranging from the ones posed by security challenges to that of endemic poverty and poor governance. In the planning process, the government expressed its desire to meld Nepal into a knowledge-based society. The broad objective for the IT sector was to promote IT as a tool for social and economic development; to promote social development by using IT to improve agricultural, health, education, and other services and sectors; to promote economic development by establishing an IT park to produce and export low-cost software and eliminate the poverty from country which is the one of major problem for Nepal.
We have the experience of failure for completely implementing the Policy and over the last few years with scarce resources tied up in security efforts, implementation of the IT Policy has slipped from the government‟s priority list. Although the institutional provisions have been put in place, the key implementing body is too under-resourced to effectively oversee implementation. We also know that e-governance in Nepal is enhancing but still not fully developed. But we can assume this process of finalizing the IT policy was a long but inclusive one.
Today we have still many problems. Political and Social Instability, Funding depend upon highly politicized and very limited facility is provided by government which is not enough and it is not fully utilized are problem in past years. So from learning the lesson from previous chapter of implementing and developing IT Policies we have to address every aspect that reflect IT Sectors. An implementation programmed involving both the government and private sector still needs to be encouraged and supported to maximize the potential for IT in Nepal.