KATHMANDU: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has pledged to make a reliable, top-tier security printing services within the country.
The Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a specialized agency dedicated to delivering trustworthy and high-quality security printing solutions.
Speaking at the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Minister Sharma assured lawmakers that the government envisions security printing as a matter of national pride.
The proposed Security Printing Bill, already sanctioned by the National Assembly, aims to institute a specialized center empowered to handle all security printing affairs.
Minister Sharma, also the government’s spokesperson, highlighted that the Bill, introduced in 2077 BS, aligns with the provisions outlined in the Budget Speech for the current fiscal year 2080/81 BS. These provisions advocate consolidating security printing responsibilities, presently handled by the Department of Printing, into a single entity through the establishment of a dedicated center.
She outlined plans to phase out additional postal services gradually and institute a dedicated postal service department in every local area.
Similarly, Krishna Bahadur Raut, Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, emphasized the forthcoming enrichment of the Bill, considering amendments from the National Assembly and the prevailing circumstances.
The meeting, led by Committee President Bhanubhakta Joshi, witnessed Dr. Chandra Bhandari advocating for an end to the reliance on foreign definitions and terminologies when formulating local laws. Committee member Devendra Poudel suggested involving entities like Janak Education Material Centre Ltd, Sajha Publication, and Nepal Academy in the Security Printing Press initiative.
Furthermore, Sumana Shrestha, another committee member, proposed discouraging breaches of confidentiality in the Security Printing Press by imposing substantial fines rather than extending periods of imprisonment.
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