E-governance in Nepal
ENRD's intervention
ENRD is regularly conducting awareness program to the local communities in rural villages on the available online services of Nepal government. Telecenters established by the collaborative efforts of rural villages and local government are gradually getting priority in their VDC level action plan so as to flow the information of Nepal government throgh ICT. These telecenters are not only disseminating Nepal government information in local level but also trying to pull local content in the central level. Further working closely with Purbanchal university, ENRD team is also engaged in designing and teaching e-governence courses in selective colleges.
1.Historical Background
Nepal the Himalayan kingdom lies between India and China. It has covered 147.181 sq. km. Land of the world. The country is divided administratively into 5 development regions and 75 districts. 3915 Village Development Committees (VDCs) and 58 Municipalities are the lowest administrative local level units. Ecologically it is divided into three ecological regions called Mountains, Hills and Tarai. Total population of the country is 22,736,934. Those of them 1,585,092 lies in Himalayan region, 9,996,975 lies in Hill region and 11,154,867 lies in Tarai region. Only 65.2% are educated in country (CBS, 2001). Those of them very few are aware with benefit of the Information Technology.
His Majesties Government, in 1971, introduced Information Technology to process the National population census data. National Computer Center was established in 1974 with the objective of providing IT training within Nepal. NCC, developed software for various government agencies, processed examination results for SLC Board and Tribhuvan University. It also conducted regular training courses on Computer Literacy and software applications. NCC was dissolved in 1998 and currently there is an absence of a computer-training institution in the government sector.
Private sector began its activity in early eighties after the introduction of Personal computers. In 1992 Mercantile Communication Pvt. Ltd. (MCPL) started commercial E-mail through Internet and in 1995 it was formally registered with HMG/N as first Internet Service Provider (ISP). Since 1999 Government has liberalized its policy to use own VSAT. Since then the number of ISPs are increased and so the price of Internet service is decreasing in country. Now here are more then 15 ISPs and around 115,000 Internet users (NPC, 2002).
There are about forty software development companies, two hundred plus companies are involved in IT trading and more than five hundred training institutes are taking part in operation training at different levels. Government and public sector has recently started academic IT courses in their respective Institutions. There are few computers in different government Institutions and most of them are used for word-processing purposes. Computerization and IT applications implementation in the government is very low. In 2000 HMG/N has declared Information Technology Policy, B.S. 2057 (2000) with the following objectives.
> To make information technology accessible to the general public and increase employment through this means.
> To build a knowledge-based society.
>To establish knowledge-based industries.
According to the policy an info-super highway and IT park plan are processing ahead.
2. Available Systems and Resources in the Country
2.1. Human Resource Development
Educational institutions have recently started IT curriculum; therefore, most of the higher education by the Nepalese students in Information and Communication Technology is obtained from abroad. Ministry of Science & Technology has granted RS. 10 million from fiscal year 056/57 as seed money to different Private and public Universities to strengthen their capabilities of producing IT workforce. The history of technical education in Nepal can be traced back to the early 40’s but technical courses like Electrical Engineering was only started around mid sixties. The Kathmandu University started B. E. in computer engineering in 1994 and the Institute of Engineering (IOE) started computer science courses only in 1998. Kathmandu University has already produced about 50 computer-engineering graduates to date. Pokhara University also offers bachelor level Computer Engineering and Electronics Engineering courses. Similarly, Purvanchal University (Eastern University) and its affiliates have started a program of Bachelor in Computer Application since 1999.
Although four universities have already started IT related graduate programs in computer engineering / application and computer sciences. The number of students graduating remain below 100 per year. Some private colleges offer Bachelor of Computer Science programs with the affiliation of TU and more than 60 students are expected to graduate. Kathmandu University affiliates also offer Bachelor level course in IT. None of the universities offer master’s degree in IT, except Post Graduate Diploma Course recently started by Nepal Engineering Collage. In addition to the in-country program of IT, a large number of Nepalese students are studying computer engineering and computer science and related subjects in foreign countries. Basically the computer professionals and experts working in Nepal are trained from foreign countries. A large number of Nepalese students study computer science and computer engineering in India. The number of Nepalese students studying computer science in the US is also growing every year. The decade of nineties is noted for the beginning of IT education in Nepal, computer courses are included in the curriculum as optional subject for the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) board examination and the private schools have started to conduct regular computer classes.
2.1.1. Key strength of HRD
a. Recently Started to produce manpower therefore could incorporate changes in the system to produce manpower as per the requirements of the market.
b. Policy makers are aware of importance of IT application for the Development of the nation.
c. New Institutions are emerging to fulfill the IT human resources.
d. In IT Policy 2000 Government has declared A long-term program with a slogan "Computer education to all by 2010 A.D."
2.2. Institutional and legal framework of IT in Government
Already, Ministry of Science and Technology has established the concept of IT park is developed and going ahead. Cyber laws formulation is in progress. Some sectors in government are using IT applications, generally speaking not enough Utilization of IT in the government. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has recently installed a VSAT to give Internet connections and develop government network between the government Ministries and Departments. With minor upgrading it will be able to provide access to rural areas up to Village development committee level. Mainly there are two high-level legal government committees, The National Information Technology Development Council (NITDC) and National Information Technology Co-ordination Committee (NITCC) are responsible for making IT plan and strategy in Nepal.
2.3. International and National projects activities
Specially, Financial Management Project (FMP), and Rural-Urban Partnership Program (RUPP) are dedicated to bring the concept of implementing E-Governance in Nepal. FMP is a joint venture project of DFID and HMG/N. It works for financial management sector since 9 years. The project is one of the highly successful project in the ranking of DFID and has provided major impact on enhanced cash flows, improved transparency and disbursement rates, reduced time in budget formulation, authorization and release, immediate financial management information for HMG/N and Donor, improved macro and micro economic management.
Bharatpur Municipality, being the first municipality to launch E-Governance in Nepal with support from RUPP/UNDP. After realizing the successful implementation of E-Governance in Bharatpur, RUPP is supporting remaining partner municipalities to replicate the model of E-Governance of Bharatpur. Municipalities where ISPs are available at the present situation have shown their keen interest in implementing E-Governance and have vigorously started the awareness on E-Governance in respective municipalities through the community mobilization process of RUPP. Most of these municipalities have completed the development of E-Governance portal as well. RUPP has supported all 12-partner municipalities to establish an Urban Information Center with well-trained staff permanently deputed to the Center. The staff was trained in line with the Municipality’s commitment to e-governance. Staffs have been deputed to operationalize the E-Governance unit of the municipality. Similarly, RUPP has also established a well-set Human Resource Development Center (HRDC), which, presently, has been strengthening to cater training and orientation regarding good governance and poverty alleviation.
2.4. Private sector activities
More than 500 Private training Institutes exist in operation but the quality and standard varies drastically. There are more than fifty private firms involved in the development of software for domestic market as well as foreign market for the last few years. Recently a number of foreign firms have started outsourcing their work into Nepal.
2.5. Association
Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) was established in December 1992. The association has been formed as an autonomous, non-political, non-profit making service oriented organization with the involvement of professionals, specialists, vendors, software developers, manufacturers and information technology experts within the country.
2.6. Telephone and Internet Infrastructure
Without telephone or Internet no one can imagine E-governance mechanism. Telephone service is available to all the headquarters of the 75 districts. More then 15 ISPs are operating in main cities of the country. Average internet connection speed available to consumer are 33.6 kbps to 56kbps. The current international bandwidth (b/w) of Nepal for Internet is 12 Mbps downlink and 5Mbps uplink. Nepal Telephone Corporation is providing 9.6Kbps to 2048Kbps of leased line connectivity. ISPs of Nepal are providing e-mail, web designing, domain registration, web Hosting, Fax to Fax, GIS, e-commerce etc services
3. Opportunities
The following are IT opportunities in Nepal.
3.1 Global shortage of IT manpower.
3.2 Employment shortage of IT manpower.
3.3 Manpower available at cheaper rates.
3.4 Geo Politically suitable industry for exports.
3.5 If properly utilized it could induce reverse brain drain.
3.6 Domestic market.
3.7 Outsourcing.
3.8 Attracting international business transactions.
3.9 Access to the Internet to deliver information and service via the internet.
3.10 Could be able to develop data communication infrastructure using the latest technology.
3.11 Virtual Private Network of the Government to deliver the product to different ministries.
3.12 Space segment available.
3.13 Ministry of Science and Technology to be the focal point in the execution and policy implementation for E-Governance and computerization of the government.
4. Constrains (Obstacles)
There are various obstacles to the promotion and implementation of IT in the Government. Some of the major problems faced in the implementation of IT to increase the efficiency in the government are as follows.
4.1. Infrastructure
Although infrastructure specially, telecommunication power has been improving lately but it is not yet adequate in most parts of the country. It is only available in headquarter of the districts. It is PSTN line and main focus is given to the voice communication infrastructure. But here is not yet develop Data Communication parallel with equal importance. Even here is not concept of T1 and E1 line. Recently NTC (Nepal Telecommunication Center) is providing ISDN service. But existing telephone line also does not have sufficient bandwidth. Recently the government is processing for implementing fiber-optic connection in East-West Highway. Still government does not have the concept of backup connection, which is the most important part of network.
4.2. IT literacy
In aggregate here is low level of IT literacy. Very few people who are working in government are known with IT and it’s importance. So there is an urgent need for widespread IT training for the employees on government in all over the country. Yes, recently there are lot IT institutes and collages are opening but they are also providing theoretical knowledge of IT. All should be aware with the practical benefits of the ICT.
4.3. Lack of Coordination
Lack of coordination between G2G departments are generating the problem. Here is not coordination and integration among the IT professionals from the government, industry and private sector. It is essential because IT utilization and acquisition particularly in developing country like ours needs to interplay among all the stakeholders.
4.4. Training
The curriculum of the various training Institutes should be designed to meet the human resource requirements for the conditions in the market and the Government as well. Or the government should have its own Training Institution catering the IT training needs of the government. Specially IT training institutes should lunch professional training courses and those should be practical oriented too.
4.5. IT policy
Although government has declared IT policy in 2000. But it is not implemented so well. Policy should be appropriate and ensure that the policy addresses the IT problems from the grass root level.
4.6. IT Funds
To provide effective and efficient service delivery we must use well infrastructure. To build well infrastructure we must invest sufficient fund. Providing ISDN, fiber-optic, T1, E1 service need lot investment. Building server warehouse, keeping power backup by UPS and dedicated lines as well as backup line to increase connection speeds to allow the users to send both voice and data transmissions is really challenging for fund generating.
4.7. Political Situation
Political situation should be stable for development of e-governance. Changing government day by day is not good symptoms for IT development in country. Also the terrorist attack on the NTC infrastructure is become thee main obstacle of this country. Government should give fully security to all it’s infrastructure.
5. How can we success?
Looking at the obstacles and barriers that hinder E-Governance, it has to be understood that management of technology in the public sector is a difficult task to say. Given that most government IT projects fail due to poor management and self-evaluation, a detailed list of criterion and factors in addition to the need for a concrete set of goals and objectives are discussed below
5.1. Start from simple and small project
Initially from a fairly simple gateway should be implemented. With development of infrastructure and acceptance of E-Governance among the various entities, functions can be added in stages in future.
5.2. Promote awareness
Public and employees have to be convinced of the importance and potential of E- Governance. Show it’s real benefits for there daily lives. Actively promote awareness of new services and how the user community can benefit from them.
5.3. Encourage and Support departments
The government should encourage and support its departments to make use of the Internet in their everyday work.
5.4. Involve top leadership
A strong leadership that firmly espouses the benefits of E-Government has to exist. Given the risks and losses, the leaders should firmly believe in the larger sphere of achievable gains. Strengthened with the necessary monetary and political influence, the leadership’s belief and conviction have to be passed down the hierarchy of the government, and into the public
5.5. Monitor Assessment
As we move into more sophisticated phases, providing deeper interaction, each milestone crossed should be an opportunity to reassess the gains achieved, the losses and reassert the objectives.
5.6. Standardize
The government should adopt established Internet standards and protocols minimizing customization thereby reducing the risks of software and compatibility problems. Also outsourcing of software application development and training allows for standardization.
5.7. Ensure security
To win the trust of the public and businesses in their transactions with the government, a national level security mechanism has to be instituted to combat cyber- crime and fraud. As part of this policy, a body of security professionals should be setup to respond to threats and breaches. Also the need for a certification authority and a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption system has to be given top-priority.
5.8. Think globally
Plan locally first, but keep the global user community in mind. Sample customers would be other governments, multinational companies, tourists, etc
5.9. Improve E-Readiness
Self-assessment of the government is mandatory to measure the readiness aspect in e-governance. These include human resources, budgeting resources, inter/intra departmental communication flows, etc. Factors to measure society’s readiness include national infrastructure, economic stability, education, public/private sector, etc. are important as it will help in assessing, how prepared a society is for e-governance. Other key factors for readiness that demand consideration are:
5.9.1. Telecommunication infrastructure
Certain e-government applications require considerable investment in national IT infrastructure. However, the level of this infrastructure depends on the type of projects at issue.
5.9.2. Current connectivity
This will help in understanding the government’s readiness in managing the projects, as well as, if the global standards are met.
5.9.3. Governmental human resources
Apart from the human resources in private sector, sufficient number of skilled personnel within government is required. Accordingly, changes in the management issues need to be addressed.
5.9.4. Budget resources
It is necessary to ensure the availability of the existing and expected budgetary resources, in order to achieve these goals. Also, crucial is the location of funds, i.e. centralized or not & allocation, i.e. a single agency or many departments.
5.9.5. E-Business atmosphere
With respect to e-business, the criteria for assessing readiness include legal framework and security of the information.
5.10. Plan Nationally
The government’s evolution into E-Governance should be part of a larger comprehensive IT framework creating a common drive towards integration of technology.
5.11. Encourage private sector
Government should play the role of facilitator and encourage private E-Governance development and implementation. However it must protect the consumer privacy and security.
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