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Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Bikram Timilsina today visited the Security Printing Center at Panauti Municipality-5, Kavre and acquired information on the latest status of driver's license printing. 

During the inspection, Communications Minister Dr Timilsina said the government is currently prioritising the improvement of public service delivery and is working to end the situation where citizens had to wait for a long time to obtain the license even after passing the trial.

He stated that from today, the arrangement to print and hand over the licence within 24 hours of paying the revenue after passing the trial has been implemented.

The Communications Minister announced that the license printing process is being accelerated and there is a goal to have all remaining licenses printed by July 16.

“The tendency to sit on feasible work by calling it impossible will end. The problem of not receiving the licence for months after passing the trial will be resolved, and the process of printing, which can be completed within 24 hours of paying the revenue, will be implemented from today itself,” he said.

Minister Dr Timilsina emphasized that the Security Printing Center should be developed as a significant state asset and a promising institution.

He mentioned that making the Center effective has been his priority since the first day of taking charge of the ministry, and problems had become complicated in various agencies due to a lack of necessary willpower and readiness in the past.

He emphasized the need to increase institutional responsibility by resolving those issues. 

He expressed dissatisfaction over equipment purchased with large investments lying unused for years, while instructing to make effective use of the Center's available equipment.

The minister emphasized the need to use equipment worth around Rs  one billion, including generators. 

He also questioned why work could not be done in the past, given that machines that had been idle for three years are now operational and printing work is possible.

In the course of the monitoring, Minister Timilsina instructed the bodies concerned to give high priority to citizen's data security, clarifying that the government would perform in favour of the people. 

"The government does not carry out activities in the interest of anyone. It will run for people's welfare," he mentioned.  

The Communications Minister opined that the ministry is committed to keeping the service seekers in the center as well as to listen and address their problems. 

He added that the issues of making mobile network and internet services accessible and improving the quality across the country is also on the Ministry's priority. 

Minister Timilsina underlined that a target has been set to bring all citizens of the country to the access of technology within a year by addressing the complaints about the quality of Nepal Telecom's service. 

Similarly, Executive Director of Security Printing Center, Devraj Dhungana, mentioned that they have been preparing a business plan to make this organization strong in a sustainable manner. 

He viewed that important documents like passports, cheque books, smartcards, postage stamps and exercise duty stickers could be printed from this centre in future. The centre has submitted a detailed plan along with around Rs 8 billion budget before the government, he added. 

Dhungana shared that the center has now been printing around 40,000 licenses every day, adding a target has been set to print 1.2 million licenses within April 25 and the remaining 1.7 million licenses within July 16.

Lawmakers-- Madhu Kumar Chaulagain, Dr Ram Lama, Badan Kumar Bhandari, among others were present on the occasion.

Minister Timilsina also enquired about the Center’s status of physical infrastructures, machines and empty buildings.

Devotees are seen congregating at Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality-6 to perform ceremonial offerings (Tarpan, Shraddha) and worship in memory of their late mothers. 

Spokesperson at Chandragiri Municipality Krishna Prasad Khadgi said that devotees have been taking holy dip, and performing ceremonial offering and worship at Matatirtha since 3 am today. 

People without mothers take holy dip and offer worship to Harihar (combined form of Lord Bishnu and Shiva) at the sacred site early in the morning. 

It is widely believed that taking holy bath at Matatirtha pond brings peace to the departed mother. 

On the premises of the sacred site, a statue called 'Sajha Aama' which symbolizes all mothers, has also been installed by sculptor Ramkrishna Bhandari. 

Every year, those without mothers go there, take bath in the pond, offer delicacies and other food items, and celebrate Mother's Day. 

To manage the fair, the Matatirtha Fair Management Committee along with local social organizations have been mobilized.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 3, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Friday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 299, 800 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 302, 800 per tola on Thursday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 120 per tola and is being traded at Rs 5, 250 per tola.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has expressed his respect, gratitude and appreciation to all mothers on the occasion of today's Matatirtha Aunsi.

On this occasion, PM Shah has stated that the mother and motherland are above heaven, and has stated the mother as a symbol of the nation, while wishing for Nepal's bright future. 

Taking to his social sites, the PM has described the mother's lap as warm and her feet as pious like a pilgrimage site and stated that mothers as an unmatched example of love and sacrifice.    

In his message, PM Shah has wished all mothers for their long life and has praised mothers as the first teacher in life.  

PM Shah has emphasized that children of all mothers should create an environment to make their mothers feel proud through their deeds and should bring smiles to mothers' faces.