KATHMANDU: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Bikram Timilsina visited the Security Printing Center in Panauti Municipality on Thursday to review the latest status of driving license printing.
During the inspection, the minister said the government has prioritized improving public service delivery and aims to end the long-standing problem of citizens waiting months to receive their driving licenses after passing the trial test.
He said a new provision has come into effect from Thursday under which driving licenses will be printed and handed over within 24 hours after applicants pass the trial and pay the required revenue.
“Practices that unnecessarily delay possible work will now end. The problem of waiting months for a license after passing the trial will be resolved, and the printing process will be completed within 24 hours of revenue payment,” Timilsina said.
The minister also said the government has set a target to expedite the printing process and complete all pending licenses by the end of mid-July.
During the visit, Timilsina stressed the need to develop the Security Printing Center as an important national asset with strong potential. He said making the center effective has been one of his priorities since the first day he assumed office.
Expressing dissatisfaction over equipment purchased with large investments remaining unused for years, the minister directed officials to ensure their effective utilization. He noted that equipment, generators and other materials worth around Rs 1 billion should be brought into operation.
Timilsina also raised questions about why the machines, which had remained unused for three years, were not operated earlier despite the possibility of carrying out printing work.
He instructed officials to prioritize the security of citizens’ data and said the government functions in accordance with the interests of the public. He also said the ministry is committed to addressing grievances and improving services by keeping citizens at the center.
The minister further said improving access to and the quality of mobile network and internet services across the country is also a priority. He added that the government aims to ensure access to technology for all citizens within the next year while addressing complaints related to services provided by Nepal Telecom.
Executive Director of the Security Printing Center Devraj Dhungana said the institution is preparing a business plan to strengthen the center in the long term. He said the center could eventually print important documents such as passports, checkbooks, smart cards, postage stamps and excise stickers.
Dhungana said the center has submitted a detailed plan worth around Rs 8 billion to the government.
According to him, the center is currently printing around 40,000 driving licenses daily. Priority has been given to licenses required by Nepali citizens going abroad, and about 1,000 applications are received daily from the Department of Transport Management.
He said the center aims to print 1.2 million licenses by April 25 and the remaining 1.7 million by mid-July.
Lawmakers Madhu Kumar Chaulagain, Dr Ram Lama and Badan Kumar Bhandari, among others, were also present during the inspection. The minister also observed the center’s physical infrastructure, machinery and vacant buildings.
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