Imagine this: You're a business owner in Nepal. You hear that the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) is going fully digital, allowing you to register, update, and file documents online. No more paper submissions. No more long queues. Just fast, smooth, and transparent service.

It sounds like a dream, right?

Well, that dream quickly turned into a nightmare for the Company Registrar Office Nepal and the thousands of businesses trying to comply with it. What started as a vision of modern governance spiraled into server crashes, missed deadlines, and mass protests. This is the story of Digital Nepal's Dreams gone wrong and the lessons learned along the way.

Before CAMIS: The Hybrid System That Just Worked (Kind Of)

Before the rollout of CAMIS, the Office of Company Registrar (OCR) ran a hybrid system for company registration. Businesses had to:

• Upload documents online for basic processing.
• Submit hard copies of the same documents at the registrar’s office.

It was an outdated system, but it worked—at least most of the time. Businesses had adapted to it, even if it meant extra effort. However, under the guidance of the Company Act 2063, OCR had bigger plans for digitalization.

The vision was clear: Paperless operations, no face-to-face contact, and 100% online company registration. This digital dream was set in motion with the launch of CAMIS (Company Administration Management Information System).

The Big Shift: How CAMIS Was Supposed to Revolutionize the Company Registrar Office

In Shrawan 2081, the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) launched CAMIS, a system designed to modernize company registration and administrative filings. This was part of a broader effort to fulfill the vision of Digital Nepal.

Here’s what CAMIS promised:

• Digital Signatures for easy verification.
• Full Online Registration with zero need for physical document submissions.
• Faceless Service Delivery to reduce human contact and eliminate corruption.

This was supposed to be a game-changer for businesses in Nepal. The system was developed by Info Developers and Everest Telecom and IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at a cost of Rs. 1.86 crore. It replaced an older system that had been in place since 2013, built with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank.

But the dream soon became a nightmare.

The Nightmare Begins: CAMIS Rollout Turns Into Chaos

When CAMIS was launched, it initially applied only to new companies. Existing companies continued to use the old system for a while. But everything changed on Kartik 11, 2081, when OCR announced that all companies (both old and new) must use CAMIS for company registration and annual filings by Poush 2081.

This sudden shift caused chaos:

1. Businesses had to migrate their data to the new system.
2. Deadlines were tight, with only two months to complete the migration.
3. Little to no support was provided by OCR for training or guidance.

Businesses were expected to "figure it out on their own." But that’s easier said than done when the system itself isn’t working.

Server Crashes, Chaos, and Protests at the Company Registrar Office

The Office of Company Registrar Nepal faced its toughest challenge yet. CAMIS, which was supposed to make things easier, collapsed under pressure. Here’s what happened:

• System Crashes: Frequent crashes left users unable to submit filings, with error messages popping up during uploads.
• Slow Load Times: Pages loaded at a snail’s pace, and companies had to upload the same document multiple times.
• Unnecessary Document Requests: The system asked for unrelated files like share allocation documents for simple filings like auditor changes.
• Poor User Experience: The navigation was confusing, making it difficult to figure out how to complete certain filings.

With the Poush deadline approaching, the frustration boiled over. Agents, business owners, and professionals staged protests outside the Office of Company Registrar Nepal. Their demands? Rollback CAMIS and return to the older system.

OCR’s Response: Rollback and Retrospect

Faced with growing pressure, OCR had no choice but to backtrack. The announcement came that companies could continue using the older system for annual filings.

This was seen as a temporary victory for businesses, but it revealed a deeper issue: Poor Planning and Execution.

Here’s where OCR went wrong:

• Unrealistic Deadlines: Two months to migrate thousands of companies was unrealistic.
• Server Capacity Issues: CAMIS was underprepared for the volume of users.
• Lack of User Training: Businesses were left to figure out the system on their own.

Lessons Learned from This Nightmare

The story of CAMIS is one of ambition without execution. Here’s what OCR—and other government agencies—can learn:

1. Test Before You Launch

New systems should be tested with real users. Beta tests could have revealed issues like system crashes and slow load times.

2. Phased Rollouts Are Safer

OCR could have moved companies into CAMIS gradually. By working in phases, it would have avoided overwhelming servers and support staff.

3. Engage Stakeholders

The views of businesses, agents, and IT experts should have been included in the system design. Their feedback would have caught major issues.

4. Don’t Rush Digital Transformation

The transition from hybrid to digital should be smooth—not rushed. Taking a "big bang" approach risks disrupting daily business operations.

The Role of the Company Act 2063

The Company Act 2063 serves as the legal foundation for company registration in Nepal. It defines how companies must register, file updates, and maintain compliance. The shift to CAMIS was intended to meet the goals of the Act—efficiency, transparency, and digital governance.

But as the experience with CAMIS shows, compliance with the Company Act 2063 requires more than just ambition. It requires proper planning and execution.

Final Thoughts: A Dream That Can Still Come True

The dream of Digital Nepal isn’t dead. Despite the nightmare of CAMIS, OCR has the opportunity to regain trust. By improving server capacity, offering user support, and phasing in new changes, OCR can still achieve its digital dreams.

The story of Digital Nepal's Dreams turning into a nightmare for the Company Registrar Office Nepal serves as a cautionary tale for all government agencies embarking on digital transformation. Ambition is great, but execution is everything.

Call-to-Action

Have you faced issues with CAMIS? Share your story in the comments below. Your experience might help others avoid the same frustration.