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The government has again urged all social networking platforms to join the registration process in the country. 

Issuing a press statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has urged all social networking sites to get registered in Nepal adding that the government was committed to ensuring a systematic and accountable digital environment, upholding the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal. 

Ministry's Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Gajendra Thakur has urged all the social networking platforms to get enlisted in Nepal by naming a focal point, residential grievance handling official or officials to abide by the self-regulation. 

Thakur also mentioned that no cost is charged for getting enlisted and the social networking sites will be reactivated after their enlistment. 

The Ministry has mentioned that the social networks should be run by adhering to Nepal's law. 

The government has emphasized the need that social media platforms cannot be operated by going beyond legal provisions, while underscoring the importance of their registration. 

According to the Ministry, the Smart Idea Private Limited (Hamro Patro) and Global Diary Private Limited were reactivated following their registration.  

Likewise, social sites Twitter ( X) and Wechat have communicated with the officials for the listing process. 

Furthermore, the Ministry has urged one and all not to use unsafe, unofficial and risky virtual private networks (VPN) meant to access the deactivated social networking platforms. 

The officials said that systematic operation of the social media platforms helps secure national interests. 

Earlier, the Nepal Telecommunication Authority had directed mobile and internet service providers to deactivate 26 unlisted social media platforms in Nepal. The Authority has directed to deactivate various social media platforms in Nepal including Facebook,  Messenger, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Snapchat, WeChat and some others. Along with the NTA's directive, the mobile service providers have shut down the unlisted social media platforms.

A ministerial-level meeting on Thursday made a decision to deactivate social media platforms that have not been registered in Nepal. 

The Ministry began the process to implement the order of the Supreme Court and the decision of the Council of Ministers made on August 25. 

The Ministry has stated that the government decision was aimed at creating an environment for systematic, decent and accountable use of social platforms through self-regulation instead of restricting, controlling and limiting the social networking platforms.

CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that anything else could be tolerated, but disrespect towards the country is intolerable. 

Addressing the representatives on the last day of the party's statute convention taking place at Godavari, Lalitpur, from Friday, Chair Oli underlined, "We are a force that sacrificed for freedom of expression and national sovereignty. 

The CPN-UML is not against social networking sites. Earning money doing business in Nepal, but not living in accordance with the law is unacceptable." 

"The thinking of so-called intellectuals is not independent. It is seen that those, who call themselves great intellectuals, have tried to influence the society through negativity. Attempts have been made to inciting society in the name of Gen Z in recent periods. But the 'Gen Z’ generation loves the country," he stressed. 

Recalling that the government had been urging the social networking sites to register for one year, Chair Oli argued, "Country's sovereignty matters a lot rather than losing employment by a few people. Sovereignty is achieved through self-respect, and freedom also through self-respect."

Chief Secretary Eak Narayan Aryal has asked the government officials to pay attention to the market monitoring and price control of the essential goods during the upcoming festive season.    

At a meeting of the central monitoring and evaluation committee held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, the Chief Secretary directed the Salt Trading Company Limited and Food Management and Trading Company Limited to ensure accessibility of the consumer goods at fair prices.

"The joint market monitoring is essential to ensure accessibility of the consumer goods during the festivals; control price hike and end cheating in measurement," Aryal added. 

He also asked the officials of all line agencies to be visible and work seriously.

Similarly, the Chief Secretary directed the officials to make arrangements for a joint monitoring within three days comprising the Chief District Officer, Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection and the Trading Company.

The meeting dwelt on controlling black marketeering, sales of substandard goods and ensuring coordination of all bodies.   

Likewise, Aryal asked the Home Ministry for coordination to maintain a strong law and order; control revenue evasion and ensure regular service of the essential public service delivery even in the time of public holidays.

Home Secretary Gokarnamani Duwadi, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ram Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management Keshav Kumar Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hari Prasad Mainali and others were present at the meeting. 

During the meeting, Secretary Dr Ghimire shared that the fair price shops will be run across the country by targeting the festivals and a trustworthy supply system will be ensured. 

On the occasion, Chief of Nepal Police Chandra Kuber Khapung and Chief of the Armed Police Force Nepal Raju Aryal vowed to effectively implement festival-targeted security plans.

The major ruling partner, Nepali Congress, has decided to talk to the government on the latter's decision to block social networks. 

The government has blocked two dozens of social networks, reasoning that they failed to get listed.

The meeting of the Central Execution Committee of NC decided to make its views public only after holding discussion with the government on restriction to social media. 

The Committee meeting was held at the residence of Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Budhanilakantha, according to Joint General Secretary of the party, Jivan Pariyar.