Supreme Court Upholds VAT on Digital Payment Services The Supreme Court of Nepal has dismissed a writ petition challenging the government’s decision to impose value-added tax (VAT) on digital payment services. A division bench of Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Tek Prasad Dhungana ruled against the petition filed by Advocate Anupam Bhattarai on October 27, 2024, seeking the removal of VAT on such services. The imposition of VAT after the removal of clearing services from the VAT exemption list in the Financial Act, 2081, led to increased fees for digital payment platforms such as Fonepay, e-Sewa, Khalti, and Connect IPS. Ministry of Health Launches “Hello Health Service” The Ministry of Health and Population has launched the “ Hello Health Service” to address public complaints regarding health services. Citizens can lodge grievances by calling 1115, sending messages via Viber or WhatsApp to 9851330592, or emailing hellohealth@mohp.gov.np. Complaints can also be submitted by post. Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel stated that the initiative aims to enhance citizens’ access to simple and efficient healthcare services. Coordinated by Dr. Anup Bastola, the chief consultant of the ministry, the service has commenced after necessary preparations. Minister Poudel encouraged the public to share their issues, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery. | | | Discussion on AI Prospects and Challenges in Nepal Concluded!!
On December 13, 2024, Alliance Française Kathmandu and Digital Rights Nepal jointly organized a panel discussion on the prospects and challenges of AI in Nepal. The panel featured experts such as Rochak Bohora from NAAMI, Nirjana Sharma from UNESCO Nepal, and Santosh Sigdel from Digital Rights Nepal, with Akshaya Adhikari facilitating the session. The discussion covered various aspects of AI, including its potential for innovation, the growth of AI industries, ethical considerations, and its impact on human rights. The panel also examined the laws and policies governing AI in Nepal and discussed how AI was shaping the country’s future, along with the societal and policy challenges it presented. | | | | Global Voices Summit 2024 concluded in Kathmandu!!
The Global Voices Summit 2024 took place on December 6-7 in Kathmandu, Nepal, bringing together journalists, activists, technologists, and global changemakers to inspire collaboration and dialogue.
Adv. Santosh Sigdel, Executive Director of Digital Rights Nepal, participated as a panelist in the session “The Power of Narratives: How Data Governance is Framed and Discussed – and How It Affects You.” He discussed Nepal’s regulatory landscape on data governance, emphasizing the narratives and practices shaping this issue and their societal impact. | | | | A world that silences voices, arrests journalists, and invades privacy denies human rights. This Human Rights Day, stand for digital rights—freedom of expression, privacy, access to information, and online equality.
Let’s build a safer, fairer, and more inclusive digital future together. | | Digital Rights Weekly is a week-based update on Digital Rights and ICT issues, that happened throughout the week, compiled and analyzed from the digital rights perspective by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN). DRN is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to the protection and promotion of digital rights, including the right to online freedom of expression and association, online privacy, access to information, and related issues such as internet governance, cyber laws/policies, and cyber securities in Nepal. | | | |
