August 8: The government has decided to approve the National Cyber Security Policy, 2080.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson, Rekha Sharma confirmed that a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) on Tuesday decided to approve the policy.

The decision comes in the wake of increase in cases of violence through the digital platform in the absence of related laws. The records with the Nepal Police show that the number of cyber bullies have surged since 2014.

Cases of data breaching of e-commerce business, hacking of ATM system and social media as well as cyber-bullying have increased in the last few years reportedly due to the loopholes in the cyber security system in the country.

The police have been handling the cases of cybercrimes under the Electronic Transaction Act 2008 in the absence of related laws in Nepal.

The newly-formed policy is expected to address these issues.

Likewise, the cabinet meeting also decided to give approval for tabling the Banking Offense and Punishment (Second Amendment) Bill in the parliament.

The government has also decided to permit the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to mint 150 million pieces of five rupees denomination coins.