‘Free Internet’ Program Discontinued After Distributing 4.1 billion rupees

Kathmandu. The 'Free Internet' program, which distributed the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund (RTDF) to local levels in violation of the law, has ultimately been discontinued. On Monday, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) issued a notice announcing that the program, which had been running since the fiscal year 2077/78, will not be continued further

According to the Telecommunications Act, a separate fund has been established for the development, expansion, and operation of telecommunications services in rural areas. Licensed service providers have been depositing 2 percent of their total annual income into this fund each year. This amount must be used in accordance with the government's telecommunications policy for the development, expansion, and operation of telecommunications in rural areas. While the authority may assign licensed service providers to utilize the fund, the law does not provide any alternative options for spending it.

However, the former government led by KP Sharma Oli had distributed these funds to local levels in violation of the provisions of the Act. The program had been initiated by the then Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Parbat Gurung. The authority has reported that more than 410 million rupees have been spent on the program so far. Out of this, about 175.8 million rupees were spent in the 8 earthquake-affected districts, while more than 234.6 million rupees went to the other 66 districts.

On February 11, 2021, the former KP Sharma Oli-led government decided through the Council of Ministers to upgrade broadband internet services in 8 earthquake-affected districts and provide free broadband internet service for 2 years. Additionally, in 66 districts (excluding the Kathmandu Valley and earthquake-affected districts), provide free broadband internet service to basic-level community schools for 2 years. Accordingly, the authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the respective local levels and implemented the program by selecting service providers from the fiscal year 2077/78.

In the first two years, the authority had already spent billions of rupees on nationwide broadband expansion and on providing free internet services to local government offices, ward offices, community schools, and community health facilities.

According to the NTA, the Memorandum of Understanding with local levels that have not selected service providers or have not begun work will be canceled, as the authority has decided to discontinue the program initiated under the KP Sharma Oli government. Local levels that have selected service providers and completed service work have been informed to submit a payment claim with the necessary documents within 15 days.

The authority had included Kavre, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dolakha, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, and Okhaldhunga for this program. Out of 76 local levels, agreements were signed with 73, improving broadband internet services in the local government office, ward offices, community secondary schools, and community health institutions.

According to the NTA's report, out of 656 local levels in 66 districts, 362 local levels have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Among them, broadband internet service has been installed in only 4,012 community basic schools at 135 local levels.

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: चैत ६, २०८२ १४:१९

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