Digital Rights Weekly/Year 3/Issue 07

NTA Flagged 90 ISPs for Unpaid Royalties and RTDF
The Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has flagged 90 internet service providers who have failed to fulfill their financial obligations to the state. These providers, including prominent names like Classic Tech, Vianet, Dish Media Network, WebSurfer, WiFi Nepal, TechMinds Network, and Sky Broadband, have been flagged by the NTA for not paying royalties and contributing to the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund (RTDF). According to the NTA, these providers have not paid the royalty amount, which is 4 percent of their total income as per the audited financial statements of the fiscal year 2079/80 and also failed to contribute the allocated amount for the Rural Telecommunication Development Fund, which is 2 percent of their income within the prescribed timeframe.

Detention of Paudel Duo’s Continues
The Special Court has approved the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to extend the detention of Nepal Telecom’s suspended managing director, Sunil Paudel, and the suspended executive director of the Security Printing Center, Bikal Paudel, for seven more days. This marks the third extension granted by the court. The CIAA was granted permission a week ago for their second detention, which expired leading to this extension. Both individuals face corruption charges, including allegations of illegally accumulating assets and holding foreign bank accounts without approval from Nepal Rastra Bank.

Home Ministry Initiates Emergency Information System Development
A task force established by the Ministry of Home Affairs has commenced work on developing an integrated information system for emergency services. Formed a week ago under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the 11-member task force, coordinated by Bharat Mani Pandey, joint secretary of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Authority, held its inaugural meeting. The group aims to establish a centralized system allowing individuals in emergencies to transmit vital information and access necessary services.

Digital Karnali Conclave 2024 to be held on 1 -2 March
The Digital Karnali Conclave 2024, jointly organized by the Karnali Province Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law and ICT Foundation Nepal, is scheduled to be held on 1 – 2 March in Surkhet, Birendranagar. The event aims to facilitate discussions on digitization and development within Karnali Province and to foster connectivity, create a digital roadmap, and promote local production, agriculture, education, and tourism, thereby propelling Karnali Province towards development through technology.

Integration of NITC into DoIT: Progress Update
The National Information Technology Centre (NITC) is currently undergoing integration into the Department of Information Technology (DoIT). Netra Prasad Subedi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCIT), confirmed that the merger of NITC with DoIT has been officially undergoing following the Council of Ministers’ approval. The required staff and organizational structure have been finalized, and efforts are underway to manage human resources effectively. Under the new arrangement, NITC will operate as a division within DoIT.

DRN Participated in Nepal Literature Festival
The 11th edition of the Nepal Literature Festival has commenced at Barahighat, Lakeside, in Pokhara, running from February 15 to 19, 2024. This festival, a cornerstone of Nepalese cultural events, celebrates literature, arts, and intellectual discourse. Annually convened, it brings together writers, activists, artists, and more for discussions on literary and societal issues. At a session titled ‘Freedom of Expression in Crisis’ during the festival’s third day, Mr. Santosh Sigdel, Executive Director of DRN, clarified that while regulations exist to govern content online, existing laws provide no mandates to the government to shut down the platforms. He emphasized the importance of platforms and websites as avenues of expression, beyond the scope of Nepali law, noting that complete shutdown was not feasible.
Watch Full Panel Discussion at: सङ्कटमा अभिव्यक्ति स्वतन्त्रता – YouTube

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Fuse Machines Announces Launch of AI Micro Degree Fellowship in Nepal
Fuse Machine has launched a six-month AI fellowship program called Microdegree, starting in April. The dynamic course is designed by global AI and tech experts to upskill AI students and professionals with hands-on experiences and real-world applications.  For more info: For more info: AI Fellowship | Nepal | Fuse AI