NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘The Government Understands That The Country Cannot Develop Without The Development Of Science And Technology’

— BHAKTA BAHADUR BALAYAR

Minister of State for Science and Technology BHAKTA BAHADUR BALAYAR is better known as the minister who removed polluting three-wheelers from the Kathmandu valley during his tenure in environment ministry three years ago. Now that he is in charge of the science and technology sector, Balayar wants to take similar concrete actions. He spoke to SANJAYA DHAKAL on the government's viewpoint on the information as well as other sectors of science and technology. Excerpts:

How does the government look at the information technology sector in terms of its potentials?

For a developing country like Nepal, the significance of information technology is immense. The constitution has guaranteed the people's right to information. Still, the flow of information is one way in the case of TV, radio or newspapers. By developing IT and particularly the Internet, we can make this a two-way flow. Besides, IT provides us with the unique opportunity of making use of space. Though we are land-locked, we are not space-locked. The government is committed to provide the fruits of IT to the people in the villages. Consequently, the ministry is in the process of providing basic computer training to 10,000 people. Another 400 people will be provided with high skills. The training will start from mid-February this year. Currently, computers are being used merely as a replacement for typewriters. We actually want to make use of e-governance and promote e-commerce. That apart, the government is also keen on developing distance learning and telemedicine by using IT. We also feel that knowledge of English, Math and Science is equally necessary at school level to fully use the skills of IT. Therefore, we are in close contact with the Education Ministry to make certain changes in the primary curriculum to address the needs of science. We are aware that unless we have computer-skilled manpower, we will not be able to compete in any field internationally. Because of lack of these types of skills, Nepalis who go to work overseas have to take up menial jobs. We have to understand what kind of skills and knowledge are necessary in order to compete in the international market.

How does the government plan to take the fruits of IT to the grass-root level?

Firstly, in order to make the people aware, we are planning to set up Information Technology centers in 1,500 Village Development Committees (VDCs) across the country. Secondly, we plan to provide basic computer education to all students by 2010. In the Tenth Plan, we hope to establish IT centers where Internet facilities are available in 1,500 VDCs. Likewise, we hope to train our youths in computer skills. Our target for the next three years is to provide semi- and high-skill IT training to 50,000 youths. We are working to achieve the target. We are close to starting the first phase of this plan, where we will train 10,000 youths.

It is said that Nepal has a competitive edge in developing IT-enabled services. How is the government looking at this potential?

The role of our ministry is primarily to act as a facilitator. We create an environment where development of such services is conducive. In order to provide an environment, the ministry is actively working on various fronts. We need to know how our legal provisions are affecting the sector. The government is also very keen on attracting foreign investment in this sector. The government is even considering to provide necessary facilities to Non Resident Nepalese (NRNs) who might want to invest in the country. The NRNs will be given facilities on visa and other provisions so that they will find it convenient to invest here. Besides, in order to promote e-commerce and other IT ventures, a cyber law are in the offing.

Critics say the government has not implemented the IT policy it introduced some one and a half years ago. What do you say?

It is an unfortunate fact in all developing countries that sectors of science and technologies are somewhat neglected. It is also a fact that without developing science and technology no country can develop. In Nepal, too, the science and technology sector receives less attention. However, the present government understands the significance of this sector and has earmarked considerable budget, too. The National IT Center envisaged in the policy has just been passed by the cabinet. This will be followed by the setting up of the National IT Council under the chairmanship of the prime minister. The council will have members from the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, and all other concerned ministries linked to IT in some manner. Likewise, we are in the process of setting up the venture capital fund, as we recently received "no objection letter" from the Nepal Rastra Bank. The IT Park in Banepa is being constructed. It will be completed within two years. A 24-member ad hoc steering committee has been formed in the ministry. This committee will prepare an action plan based on the policy. The ministry is also in the process of sponsoring a program on IT on Nepal Television. That apart, we are close to reaching an agreement with the United Nations Development Program called "ICT for Poverty Reduction". This project will focus on rural connectivity.

What about the proposed cyber law?

The final draft of the cyber law has been sent to the Ministry of Law. Earlier, after making a draft of the law we organized a seminar to obtain suggestions and recommendations on possible improvements from experts, media and concerned entrepreneurs. We will be presenting the final draft of the proposed cyber law in the forthcoming winter session of the parliament.

The Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) is organizing an InfoTech show in which your ministry is also participating, How do you think such shows can help in the development of the sector?

Basically, such a show helps in two ways. On the one hand, it helps in expanding relations in the international sector. On the other, it acts as a forum for advocacy of the sector within the country. Discussions will be held, which will help in improving legal provisions. The private sector can utilize such a show as forum for promoting their business. The people in general can benefit by knowing about current trends in the country's IT sector. New products and latest technologies will be on display. Customers can use the show to make buying decisions. Students can also take advantage of the show by learning about the opportunities of IT education as well as employment. All in all, the show will have positive effect on every aspect of the sector.

What are the major areas your ministry is currently working on?

There are four major areas the ministry is currently working on: IT, biotechnology, space and energy. We have talked about the IT sector already. Biotechnology is very important for an agriculture-based country like Nepal. Our country is rich in bio-diversity and we boast of variety of unique fauna and flora. For example, we have things like Yarcha Gumba. Nepal can gain lot by doing tissue culture of such plants. We plan to do tissue culture of fruits like Malbhog banana, papaya and so on and export them on massive scale as dry fruits. Nepal is also popular for the diverse seeds it possesses, which can earn money. The ministry is also working in the area of space technology. Then, there is the energy sector. The ministry is working on developing renewable energies like micro-hydro, solar, biogas energy and so on. Recently, Nepal has been awarded a program on regional assistance for Promotion of Renewable Energy Efficiency, Greenhouse Gas Abatement. The government of the Netherlands is providing 4.5 million US dollars and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is offering 5 million US dollars for the project. The ministry has already formed a committee to look into this project. We feel that unless people are provided with the local alternative energy, deforestation will continue. Basically, a country dependent on agriculture can profit a lot by stressing on technologies that help increase agro-productivity