Three major parties announce to provide internet facilities nationwide

KATHMANDU: The three major political parties -CPN United Marxist and Leninist(UML), Nepali Congress, and CPN (Maoist Centre) have announced that they will expand internet service to all 753 local units within the next five years.

The manifestos for upcoming elections of the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly unveiled a few days back by the key political parties, have pledged to provide nationwide internet facilities.

The CPN (UML) has stated in the manifesto that broadband internet will be provided to all local unit centers in Terai Madhesh and hilly districts within two years. The UML has promised to develop an advanced information technology infrastructure, and make information and communication service cheap, convenient, and reliable for everyone.

It has also pledged to complete the installation of optical fiber across the country and provide broadband internet facilities free of charge in public institutions including schools, hospitals, government offices, financial institutions, speed complexes, among others.

Similarly, Congress has mentioned in its manifesto that most of the schools, health posts, and community buildings will be provided with internet access, to transform the education and health sector through internet-based services.

Nepali Congress, through its manifesto, has also announced that it will establish data centers in Kohalpur, Khumaltar, and Dharan and internet exchange centers in Butwal.

Similarly, Congress has pledged to provide employment for 200,000 youths in the information and communication sector. The congress also has also expressed commitment in its manifesto that it will establish telemedicine centers and information knowledge parks in all seven provinces through a manifesto.

The Maoist Center, the third largest party, has announced to offer free internet service in all public places within the next five years and develop a uniform system of service delivery in all government offices.

It has also promised to make satellite buildings and expand e-education, e-health, e-transformation, and e-monitoring system in the country. Also in the manifesto of the Maoists, it has also been stated that the digitalization of all the organs of the state will be advanced for the next five years as the “year of the digital revolution.”