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Govt. to come up with master plan to improve country’s economy: PM Dahal

Published Date : November 2, 2023

            Lumbini, Nov 2: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said country’s economy was improving and the government would come up with the master plan to uplift the economy.

            At the 25th anniversary of Butwal-based Amda Nepal, Siddhartha Children and Women Hospital on Thursday, Prime Minister Dahal shared that there was much improvement in economic sector after his election to the post of premiership and the government has been using all its power to resolve pressure seen in country’s economy. 

            He claimed that the interest rate of banks and financial institutions is being reduced due to continuous efforts of the government, adding, “We have been making efforts to lower the interest rate to the single digit. The foreign exchange reserve has increased as well as remittance and revenue also gone up.”

            Stating that activities are underway to revise monetary policy and financial sector, the Prime Minister urged industrialists and entrepreneurs not to get disappointed.The government formed under his leadership has put social security programme in health service in top priority, he mentioned, adding the incumbent government was sensitive towards citizen’s rights to health. 

            PM Dahal shared the information that an arrangement of 2,800 beds has been made free to provide health services to poor, backward and helpless people. Similarly, private and community hospitals are also asked to implement the arrangement of allocating 10 per cent free beds of the total beds of the hospital for treatment of poor, backward and helpless people.

            He admired the contribution of Amda Nepal to the health of mothers and children. “The hospital has played an important role as it has been providing many facilities to children and women and quality treatment to even remote patients. I believe that the hospital as a charity hospital and a teaching institute will be very successful for the local people with low economic status.”  

            Also speaking at the event, former Chief Minister of Lumbini Province and leader of the CPN (UML) Parliamentary Party in the Province Assembly, Lila Giri, praised and called for the hospital to provide service impartially.  Speaker of Lumbini Province Assembly Tularam Gharti Magar lauded the hospital as being a model hospital for children and women in Lumbini Province. Saying that an institution like Amda Nepal is like his eldest son, Dr Shigeru Suganami, President of the Amda International, said they aimed to provide health services to conflict-ridden areas of the world with the manpower produced from the hospital after developing it as a medical college.

Regal arrested from Nepalgunj

            Nepalgunj, Nov 2 : Police have arrested Yograj Dhakal (Regal) following the Supreme Court order to take him into custody immediately.

            A murder convict, Regal was paroled by the President on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. However, in response to a writ petition filed against the decision, the Supreme Court overruled the decision and directed the government to arrest Regal to serve the rest of his imprisonment.

            Superintendent of Police of District Police Office Banke Subash Chandra Bohara shared that Regal was arrested this afternoon. Regal was jailed after he was found guilty by the court of murdering Chetan Manandhar. Chetan’s wife filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to release Regal forgiving his remaining sentence.

National Assembly session ends midnight

            Kathmandu, Nov 2: The 14th session of the National Assembly will end this midnight.

            During the 108 days of meetings held during this session, Ordinance to amend Nepal Acts related to the Civil Code was approved while Appropriation Bill, Economic Bill and National Debt Collection Bill 2080 were passed. The Nepal University Bill 2080, the National Order of Precedence Bill 2080 was passed by the NA and sent to the House of Representatives. On the last day of the session, the National Electronic Transaction Bill was passed.

            In today’s meeting, NA Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina narrated a letter received from the Office of the President regarding the end of the session. He announced that the 14th session of the National Assembly will end from 12:00 tonight.

Review meeting among parties imperative: Spokesperson Sapkota

            Kathmandu, Nov 2 : Spokesperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Agni Prasad Sapkota, has said the discussion among political parties was going on positively to end the remaining task of peace process.

            During a press meet organized at the party office in Koteshwor on Thursday, Spokesperson Sapkota shared that the parties held bilateral and collective meetings in recent time. Top leaders are also serious to conclude the peace process, he added.

            “Those in favour of 12-point agreement will sit together for review the progress so far on enforcement of republic, federalism, secularism and proportional representation,” he informed. He expressed belief that the recent visit of UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres would help conclude peace process in Nepal.

            The General Secretary’s visit further reminded the world to take into account the climate change and its impact.

Chief Justice Shrestha lauds application of ICT in Judicial Services in China

            Kathmandu, Nov 2 : Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha has discussed various matters within the realm of judicial services with Chief Justice and President of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Jun in Beijing today.

            Expressing satisfaction over the longstanding bilateral relations happily existing between Nepal and China, both parties agreed to further strengthen this relationship by promoting cooperation and collaboration in the field of judiciary, according to Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, China.

            On the occasion, Chief Justice Shrestha commended China for its noteworthy accomplishments in the application of Information and Communication Technology in the field of judicial services and underlined the need of exchanges of knowledge, experiences and best practices between the two countries.

            Following the meeting, Chief Justice Shrestha attended a  luncheon hosted by the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme People’s Court of China in honor of the visiting Nepali delegation. In the evening, Chief Justice attended a welcome reception hosted in his honor by Ambassador of Nepal to the People’s Republic of China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, at the Embassy.

            Earlier, the Nepali delegation led by Chief Justice Shrestha arrived in Beijing on Wednesday evening after attending the “1st China (Kashgar)-Central Asia & South Asia Legal Forum” in Kashgar, Xinjiang.

            The Chief Justice is scheduled to return to Kathmandu tomorrow.

Minister Sharma for Scientific Study of Astrology

            Deukhuri (Dang), Nov 2: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma has pointed out the need for a scientific study of astrology.

            Speaking at the 18th National Conference of Nepal Astrology Council in Ghorahi today, Minister Sharma said that the misconceptions about astrology should be dealt with and promote that it is an important part of science and eastern philosophy. “Eastern philosophy is believed all over the world, but we have not been able to stake claim over this ancient science of ours”, she said.

            Stating that scientific discoveries were made based on the knowledge of Eastern philosophy, Minister Sharma emphasized that the Sanskrit University should be developed as a center of promotion of eastern philosophy.

            On a different note, she also said that all Nepalis should remain alert and united to maintain religious tolerance in the country.

National economy facing challenges: Chair Nepal

            Kathmandu, Nov 2 : Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister, Madhv Kumar Nepal, has said country’s economy was facing severe challenges.

            Speaking in a special hour of the House of Representatives meeting on Thursday, Chairman Nepal stressed need of government’s clear vision to boost agriculture so that national economy could be propped up. “Go to international airport to know the nation’s condition,” he wailed, reminding, “How are the youths faring in the foreign land? Are we, holding leaderships, accountable and honest towards country and people.”

            The businesspersons, who are backbone to national economy, are undergoing crisis, he argued. Leader Nepal also blamed inappropriate planning and budget allocation behind dent in economy. Even the remittance is used for daily consumption, he informed. “We’re importing too much agricultural products. It is worrying that we’re bound to import the agro products which we can produce ourselves. Nepal has failed to boost agricultural production,” he worried, underscoring the need to root out corruption.

            The governance must be transparent. People’s voices and concerns must be heard and addressed well, he suggested government. Chairman Nepal also expressed deep grief over the killing of 10 Nepali students in Israel in Hamas attack. He urged government to take initiative to bring home Bipin Joshi safely.

T20 World Cup Asia qualifier:Bahrain into semi-finals despite loss against Kuwait

            Kathmandu, Nov 2: Despite losing to Kuwait in the final match of the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia qualifier final, Bahrain has entered into the semi-finals of the tournament.

            In the match held today at Mulpani Cricket ground, Bahrain reached the semi-finals due to a better run rate. Bahrain reached the semi-finals as the runner-up of Group B, leaving behind Hong Kong and Kuwait on the basis of net run rate.

            Kuwait completed the victory target of 159 runs set by Bahrain at the loss of 6 wickets in 16.3 overs. Usman Patel was the top scorer with 64 runs for Kuwait. He has contributed the most 64 runs in 34 balls with the help of six fours and five sixes. Similarly, captain Mohammad Aslam scored 36, Dizur Shili contributed 22 and Bilal Tahir and Zayed Munib scored 15 runs each.

            For the bowling side, Bahrain’s Ali Dawood and Rizwan Butt took 2 wickets each, while Abdul Majeed took one wicket. Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Bahrain, lost 9 wickets in the full quota of 20 overs to score 158 runs. Imran Anwar was the top scorer with 37 runs for Bahrain.

            Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ended up as group winner with six points and will meet host Nepal in the semi-finals. Both semi-final matches will start at 11:00 am tomorrow. Nepal and UAE will face each other at Mulpani cricket stadium while the second semi-final match between Oman and Bahrain will be played at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

The winners of both the semi-final matches will qualify to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup cricket to be held in West Indies and the United States of America in 2024.

HoR budget session ends

            Kathmandu, Nov 2: The budget session of the House of Representatives (HoR) is ending from 12:00 night today.

            HoR Speaker Devraj Ghimire read out a letter received from the Office of the President in this regard on Thursday’s HoR meeting. In the meeting, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhanraj Gurung tabled the second and third reports of National Dalit Commission on behalf of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

            Started on May 7, this session of the HoR held meetings for 180 days and witnessed 65 meetings in 61 days, the Federal Parliament Secretariat said.

            Likewise, six joint meetings of the HoR and National Assembly (NA) were held during the period.  Similarly, three question-answer sessions were held with the Prime Minister on May 18, June 23 and August 29 as per the Rule 56 (5) of the HoR Regulations, 2079 BS.

            A total of nine bills including one private were registered in the HoR during this session and three of them were passed from both Houses. Likewise, three bills are under consideration in the Committees and two were just tabled in the HoR while next one was registered. During this session of the HoR, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the joint meeting of the HoR and NA on October 31. 

Nepal to receive 100 million USD loan from World Bank

            Kathmandu, Nov 2: The Government of Nepal and the World Bank on Thursday exchanged the digitally-signed financing agreements for a 100 million US dollars concessional loan from the International Development Association and a 3.84 million USD grant from the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund to strengthen the quality, coverage, and resilience of Nepal’s health system. 

            These agreements were digitally signed on October 27, 2023.  This is the first World Bank-financed project in Nepal that was digitally signed, according to a statement released here today by the World Bank Nepal office.The agreements for the Nepal Quality Health Systems Program Operation were signed by Finance Secretary Dr Krishna Hari Pushkar and the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos. The agreements were exchanged in the presence of Minister of Finance Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, World Bank Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde and World Bank Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser.

            The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Population in coordination with the Health Insurance Board at the federal level, and selected provincial and local levels in Koshi and Gandaki provinces.The program emphasizes improving the readiness of the health system for delivery of quality healthcare, enhancing coverage of health insurance, and strengthening health emergency preparedness and response capacity at the selected provincial and local levels, adds the statement.

MCC projects will be completed on time: Foreign Minister Saud

            Kathmandu, Nov 2: Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud has said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) projects in Nepal will be completed on time.

            Minister Saud expressed this commitment in a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Challenge Corporation Alice Albright in Washington DC, US earlier today. During the meeting, matters related to timely implementation of the MCC projects were discussed. There was a discussion with MCC officials about completing the MCC projects within five years as per the stipulated time, according to the Nepali Embassy in Washington DC.

            Ambassador of Nepal to the US, Sreedhar Khatri, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ganesh Kumar Dhakal, Deputy Vice President for Europe Asia Pacific and Latin America of MCC, Jonathan Brooks, the US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R. Thompson, and other embassy officials were present in the meeting.

CIAA issues 22-point directive to govt for effective project management

            Kathmandu, Nov 2: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has issued a 22-point directive to the government bodies for scientific and objective budget making with proper planning and prioritization of projects so that limited resources in the country would be leveraged most and high gains ensured.

            Issuing a special appeal on Thursday, the anti-graft body urged the Office of the Prime Minister, Finance Ministry, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, National Planning Commission, Offices of all seven Chief Ministers to ensure transparent, competitive and qualitative public procurement in course of budget enforcement

            The Financial Affairs and Planning Ministry, and Planning Commission at provincial levels and all 753 local levels have been requested for the implementation of the directive. They are also asked to furnish information to the commission about the enforcement of the directive.

            Project managements must be smooth with the guarantee of maximum result. Quality, time, cost must be in consistent each other. The Financial Accountability Act and its regulation must be implemented effectively for effective project management.

            The CIAA has suggested the government that it reviewed multi-year projects which are approved by the Finance but not come into operation. A list of such projects can be made public district-wise, citizen’s concern over these addressed. Also, the government is suggested to set standard on approving the project of national pride and strategic projects of high priority.

            The duplication and overlapping of projects in the federal, provincial and local levels must end, CIAA reminded, adding that federal government should not launch small projects.

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