August 24: The government is preparing to start security printing from the current fiscal year. Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki shared that security materials will be printed with the establishment of a security printing press in the current fiscal year.    
 Releasing a booklet of major achievements made by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and its subordinate agencies in the fiscal year 2021/22, Minister Karki on Tuesday said that security printing press has been established to print security documents such as passports, postage stamps, excise duty stickers etc within the country. He said that the ministry is always ready and committed to providing simple, convenient and effective services to the people.     
Minister Karki shared that the fourth generation Internet "4G" service has been extended to 735 out of the 753 local levels in the country.    
According to the ministry's progress booklet, 1,642 km of optical fiber was installed in the last fiscal year, taking the total installed optical fibre to 12,224 kms.    
Communication Minister Karki said that the programs of the Ministry of CIT are aimed at strengthening means of mass communication, development, expansion and use of information technology and the timely improvement of postal services.    
In the fiscal year 2021/22, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and its subordinate agencies recorded major achievements in areas related to policy, legal issues, telecommunication, information technology, mass media, postal service, film and printing. The booklet also shares that an integrated action plan for the implementation of the annual policy and program and budget has been developed while and an objective evaluation system has been put in place for the effective implementation of the action plan.    
45 services being rendered through Nagarik App     
Minister Karki shared that the Nagarik App had been upgraded time to time and a total of 45 services are being rendered through the App at present. All services by the Department of Information and Broadcasting have gone fully digital.    
Integrated Work Management System has been implemented in six subordinate bodies of the Ministry to realize the goal of 'Paperless Government', Minister Karki said. Through the Integrated Gateway, one can send SMS to the government agencies for Rs 20 paisa.    
This service will be extended to additional 20 government agencies within the Singha Durbar complex during the ongoing fiscal year, shared Minister Karki. To implement the 'Right to Information' by ensuring public's easy access to information on public affairs and concerns, bulletin containing information on the activities of the Ministry would be published quarterly.    
Furthermore, the Ministry has prioritized establishment of 'Cinema Story Bank' in all seven provinces to promote and streamline the film sector adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic.    
Prospective film shooting spots would be explored in all seven provinces and developed accordingly. Identity card for senior cine artistes is put in place while preparation was underway to implement e-commerce in postal administration to further streamline the sector. -- RSS