15 Days is Not Enough Time to Give Suggestions on the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bills

15 Days is Not Enough Time to Give Suggestions on the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bills Digital Rights Nepal has demanded to extension the period for giving comments and suggestions on the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill. On Friday, in a letter to the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, the said organization requested to give one month, saying that 15 days is not enough time for that.
 
The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology prepared a bill to regulate information technology and cyber security and published it on its website on Falgun 27. 
 
Recently, the government has been trying to organize and regulate the field of information technology and cyber security through guidelines.
 
But now the homework of making a separate law for that work has been started. The information technology and cyber security bill that is currently under discussion needs to be thoroughly discussed and analyzed in terms of the overall digital security field, the fundamental rights of citizens, and the effect it can have on the work area of various stakeholders. 
 
Considering the complexity and far-reaching effects of the 47-page bill, it is said that 15 days is not enough time to thoroughly review and give a meaningful response to all stakeholders, including experts in the field and civil organizations. A demand has been placed before the government to provide a deadline of one month, as it is not possible to provide suggestions after discussing and analyzing the draft issues in such a short period.
 
“We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it will be easy for the stakeholders to engage in intensive discussions, studies, consultations, and provide effective and useful suggestions,” Chairman Tankraj Aryal on behalf of Digital Rights urged through the letter. 
 
It has been strongly requested organize a discussion program with the stakeholders once again to prepare the final draft of the bill by incorporating the suggestions received from all the stakeholders before increasing it to the parliamentary process.