Boost information integrity, says Minister Dr. Timilsina

Lalitpur, Sept. 20

Minister for Information and Communication Dr. Bikram Timilsina said that as information is infrastructure in the digital age, all should work to strengthen information integrity and public trust in it.

"When information is unreliable, public trust erodes," he said while speaking at the Digital Nepal Conclave 2026 organised by ICT Foundation Nepal (IFN) in Lalitpur on Sunday.

He stressed on strengthening the institutions in information and communication sector stating that when such institutions weaken, public will suffer. The future of the modern Nepal will be built upon accuracy, transparency, accountability, and public trustfulness, he said.

Minister Dr. Timilsina, said that the government must ensure reliable and inclusive connectivity, and digital inclusion cannot be limited to urban centres.

According to him, the true test of connectivity is when the citizens in remote mountains have equal access to and facility of ICT tools and services. Affected areas must remain connected when they need it most, mostly during the disasters like the recent Bhotekoshi flood.

He also stated that in order the citizens experience the government as one entity with efficient system, there should be an interoperability across government information systems and platforms.

"The success of digital government should not be measured by the number of platforms we create but by whether citizens can access services more easily, more reliably, and more effectively," he said.

The question is whether our digital systems can continue to serve our people when they need it most, he said. "Can they communicate effectively during a crisis? Can institutions coordinate in real time? Can citizens access critical services and information when systems are disrupted?" he said, "These are no longer theoretical questions but a national responsibility."

Likewise, Dr. Timilsina expressed commitment to strengthening communication systems, improving public access to information, promoting information integrity, and supporting a more connected and resilient Nepal.

"If we must approach artificial intelligence and data governance responsibly, AI presents enormous opportunities for public service delivery, disaster preparedness, education, healthcare, and economic development," he said.

 

Ending digital divide in priority

Sudeep Dhakal, Advisor for Policy, Administration, and Good Governance to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, presented three priorities to steer Nepal towards a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.

Speaking at the Conclave, he suggested that the government efforts should be focused on universal access to technology, promotion of digital economy and good governance and transparency.

According to him, the digital divide between citizens in accessible and remote areas should be ended by ensuring convenient digital access for everyone. An environment for digital service exports should be created by connecting the knowledge and skills of young people working abroad with Nepal, while also opening opportunities for entrepreneurship for young people living in the country.

Likewise, technology should be used to reduce the distance between the state and citizens and make governance processes more accountable.

"Technology is not an end in itself. If we simply digitise poor or cumbersome processes, we will only create digital bureaucracy. Therefore, we need not merely to add technology to government, we need to redesign the way government operates through technology," he said while adding that unless it reduces citizens’ time, costs and inconvenience, its real justification will not be established.

Dhakal said that the transformation has already begun. Work has started on establishing the necessary legal framework, standards and foundations for Digital Public Infrastructure. Through the Nagarik App, arrangements are already in place for citizens to obtain a range of services on their mobile phones, including police reports, certificates issued by the Engineering Council and admit cards for the Public Service Commission, among others.

"In addition, work is progressing to expand the system through Business Process Reengineering of many other services. We are focusing not only on developing this as a digital public service but also on evolving it into a Super App for citizen engagement," he said.

 

Need for public-private partnership

Likewise, president of NAS-IT Deepak Chapagain said that the government, private sector and citizens must collaborate for a digital industry success.

According to him, without the public private partnership digital industry fails.

He called for translating policy into habits, and commitments and paper works into activities, stating that the plans and policies must be executed and benefits should reach the entrepreneurs and common people.

Chairperson of the IFN Razan Lamsal said that the Bhotekoshi disaster has exhibited the need for more robust and resilient digital technologies. The conclave is also themed 'Reimagining digital governance, data and the digital economy'. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.