After controversy over its directive issued to District Administration Offices, the Home Ministry has issued a statement saying its attention has been drawn to the concern of journalists and media.
It has said the Ministry has issued a directive by removing the controversial clause.
The Home Ministry issued a 21-point directive to District Administration Office of all 77 districts of the country on March 21, which among others included a provision directing them to monitor and regulate online news.
Nepali media responded by claiming the directive reflects the Panchayat (system), which sought to control freedom of expression under an authoritarian monarchy.
Clause 2.1 of the directive requires the DAOs to create a desk in the district police office and district administration office to control and take legal action against publication of materials deemed inappropriate in online news and social media.
According to the directive the police and CDO can take action against online news portals and media. However, as per Nepal’s law only the Press Council is authorized to monitor and take action against inappropriate content in media.
Media reports claimed the Home Minister had gone out of his jurisdiction and displayed an authoritarian streak.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) issued a press statement saying its attention has been drawn to the clause.
The Ministry issued the directives to the DAOs as per the ministerial decision of March 20. The stated objective of the directive is to increase the trust of citizens by playing an active role on the issues of peace, security, service delivery, good governance, regulations, coordination and facilitation.
The Ministry issued such directives as per the instructions by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane to make improvement in work execution of local administration making the people feel about it, according to Minister Lamichhane’s Secretariat.
The directive addresses various issues including maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, cybercrime, financial crime, disciplined use of social media, road safety and reducing road accidents, controlling revenue leakage, effective service delivery, complaints management, employees behavior and discipline, protection of government and public property, coordination and felicitation in development activities are incorporated in the 21-point directives.
According to RSS, the Home Minister Lamichhane urged the high-level officials to evaluate whether Ministry’s directives was implemented or not.
He also instructed the inline employees not to be influenced by anyone while delivering services.