The government is preparing to launch its first dedicated online platform to provide the public with real-time updates on government decisions, policy discussions and activities across ministries and other state agencies.

A team at the Prime Minister's Office is working to roll out the website "very soon," according to an aide to the prime minister. The platform will carry live updates on cabinet decisions, bills under discussion, and developments in ministries, central entities, and other government offices.

Officials say the platform is aimed at improving public access to government information by providing instant updates on key decisions and activities as they unfold, a first-of-its-kind initiative for the federal government.

"The dedicated website will provide live updates from every ministry, including what ministers are doing, what decisions have been taken, and which bills are under discussion," the aide told the Post.

On Friday, the PM's team had demonstrated the template of the portal to the Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Bikram Timilsina and updated him about its features and objectives.

To introduce the new system, a team at the Prime Minister's Office is integrating the websites of all ministries into a single system.

According to the aide, real-time information related to matters of public interest will be made available through the portal.

"Since fake news, misinformation, and disinformation are spreading rapidly, we have decided to introduce an integrated platform that provides verified information directly from the government," the aide said.

The primary objective of the platform is to enhance transparency by allowing citizens to follow government activities through a single portal.

"It will help people know what various ministries are doing in real time," the aide said. "At the same time, it will help counter fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and information disorder by providing accurate and official updates."

A member of the team developing the platform said the concept is inspired by the live news services offered by international media organisations such as the BBC and CNN.

"The idea is similar to the live update formats used by international media outlets," the team member said. "We want to create a dedicated, integrated platform that continuously updates people about government activities."

Officials said the website will also include interactive features, allowing members of the public to submit comments and feedback.

"It will be an interactive website where people can send their feedback," the team member said. "For example, if a ministry is discussing a bill, interested individuals can submit their comments while the discussion is taking place because updates will be available on the website in real time."

However, the portal will not provide live updates on parliamentary proceedings or other activities outside the executive branch. It will focus exclusively on the work of ministries and, possibly, their subordinate agencies.

Alongside the live updates platform, the Prime Minister's Office is also working to end the practice of vendor lock-in across government information technology systems.

According to the prime minister's aide, vendor lock-in has allowed a limited number of technology providers to dominate government IT infrastructure, forcing public agencies to rely on a single supplier for services and maintenance.

"We are going to dismantle the monopoly of individual vendors," the aide said.

Several government services, including the National Identity Card system, Nepal Telecommunications-related services, and other public digital platforms, have reportedly been affected by vendor lock-in, resulting in service disruptions and operational inefficiencies.

"We want government services to be free from vendor lock-in so that essential public services do not depend on a single vendor," the aide said.

The Prime Minister's Office is also reviewing technical problems affecting several public service delivery systems, including slow performance, repeated outages, and shortages of skilled technical personnel.

"We will undertake major technical reforms in government entities that provide public services but are struggling with vendor lock-in, technical shortcomings, and shortages of skilled manpower," the aide said. "Our goal is to improve service delivery without relying excessively on external service providers."