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5.8 Magnitude aftershock hits Ramidanda of Jajarkot again

Published Date : November 6, 2023

Bheriganga (Surkhet), Nov 6 : An aftershock of Jajarkot earthquake has been recorded in Jajarkot district.

The aftershock measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale with its epicentre at Ramidanda at 4:31 pm today jolted the district, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, Surkhet.

The aftershock was also felt in neighbouring districts, said locals.

Relief and rehabilitation first priority of govt.-PM Dahal

Kathmandu, Nov 6 : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of earthquake survivors is the first priority of the government.

In a meeting with the Rastriya Swatantra Party MPs, who came to thank the government for the rescue and relief of the earthquake survivors, he said that the government is leaving no stone unturned to provide every possible support to the survivors.

Stating that the gratitude expressed by RSP MPs had given him more energy to work, the Prime Minister shared that the government has already action upon the suggestions made by RSP through the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority and the Council of Ministers.

He said that the government is aware of creating an environment where the survivors can get relief support at the right time and in the right way. Prime Minister Dahal expressed his commitment not to repeat the shortcomings of the past and to instead learn from them and start relief and rehabilitation of the survivors accordingly.

On the occasion, Vice-president of RSP, Dor Prasad Aryal, handed over a four-point memo to the Prime Minister while drawing the attention of the government to monitor whether the relief materials have reached the survivors, to pay special attention to the condition of the survivors considering the cold weather, and to make necessary reforms in the law for relief and re-rehabilitation.

10:51 am auspicious hour for Bhai Tika

Kathmandu, Nov 6 : Nepal Calendar Determination Development Committee, the government body authorized to decide dates and times of festivals celebrated in the country, has shared that 10:51 am on November 15 would be the most auspicious time for Bhai Tika on the occasion of the festival of Tihar this year.

Though one can receive Bhai Tika from sisters throughout the day on November 15, the most auspicious time for Bhai Tika is at 10:51 am, according to Executive Director of the Committee, Surya Prasad Dhungel.

The Tihar festival commences from November 11 this year. The five-day festival is the second biggest festival of the majority Hindus in Nepal, following the Dashain festival.

Local Service Formation Bill passed unanimously

Biratnagar, Nov 6 : In the meeting today of the Koshi Provincial Assembly, the proposals on ‘Bill to amend the Provincial Civil Service Act, 2079’ and ‘Bill to regulate the formation, operation and conditions of service of local services’ were unanimously passed.

The proposal was tabled by Minister without portfolio Shumsher Rai. Similarly, the ‘ordinance to implement the financial proposal of the provincial government’ and the ‘ordinance made to make arrangements regarding the allocation and spending of funds from the provincial reserve fund for the services and works of the financial year 2080-81’ were unanimously passed. The ordinance where presented for a decision by Deputy Speaker Srijana Danuwar.

The ordinance was introduced by Minister without portfolio Ganesh Prasad Upreti. The ordinance was presented for decision after the petitions registered by Bhupendra Rai of Nepali Congress, Narayan Bahadur Magar of CPN Maoist Center and Khinu Langwa Limbu of CPN United Socialist Party to reject the ordinance were withdrawn.

Deputy Speaker Danuwar announced that the next meeting of the provincial assembly will be held tomorrow at 11 am.

Lamsal appointed NC Bagmati Province Chief Whip

Makawanpur, Nov 6: Bagmati Province Assembly member Govinda Lamsal has been appointed as Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress.

 NC Bagmati Province Parliamentary Party leader Bahadur Singh Lama appointed Lamsal to the post. Newly appointed Chief Whip Lamsal on Monday registered the information letter regarding his appointment to the post at the Province Assembly Secretariat, said Chief Secretary at the Province Assembly Secretariat, Krishna Hari Khadka.

The post had remained vacant after Province Assembly member, Kundan Raj Kafle, who was appointed as the Chief Whip of NC Parliamentary Party, resigned from the post one week ago.  

Task Force for feasibility study on Marijuana cultivation

Kathmandu, Nov 6: The government has formed a working group under the coordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs to carry out a feasibility study of marijuana cultivation in the country.

  In a meeting held on Monday at the Ministry of Finance under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, a working group was formed under the coordination of the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs including the Joint Secretaries of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministries of Finance, Industry, Law, Foreign Affairs and the representative Nepal Police, with Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture as the Member-Secretary.

On the occasion, Finance Minister Mahat instructed the task force to submit its report within one month. This task force has been given two mandates including to research how marijuana can be used as medicine and the possibility of industrialization. The task force will also study the possibility of making clothes from hemp stems, leaves and fibers.

It may be noted that the budget estimates of the government for the current financial year had mentioned to carry out study of the possibility of marijuana cultivation.

Madhes province government to pile pressure on federal government for rights

Janakpurdham, Nov 6: The Madhes province government has announced protest programmes against the federal government, demanding the implementation of concurrent powers of federal and province, and provincial powers as stated in the Constitution of Nepal.

An all-party meeting summoned by Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav and also attended by other ministers on Monday decided to organize protest programmes to pile pressure on the federal government demanding the implementation of the constitutionally enshrined rights, Home Minister of Province Mohammad Samim said.

Minister Samim said that the province government reached a conclusion to stage a protest programme for the powers adding that the province government was facing difficulties to work for lack of power exercise and questions were raised on federalism on the same basis.

The Madhes province government has stated that it has faced hardships in implementing several laws due to the federal government’s reluctance.  Minister Samim stated that Police Adjustment Act, Civil Service Act, laws on Guthi, forest and some other laws are not implemented as the federal government has taken these laws under its control. “So, we are forced to stage protests,” he added.

The province government has put its firm stance for the drafting, amending and entire rights on these Acts and laws. As decided, the members of the council of ministers and leaders of political parties would join to submit a memo to the federal government in the first phase and then they would stage protests in Kathmandu if the demands were not addressed in the first stage.

“Most probably, we will announce the protest progammes before Tihar,” UML’s chief whip of Madhes Province Assembly Lakhan Das shared. Most of the politicians in the province seem dissatisfied with the federal government for its reluctance in implementing the concurrent powers of federal and province, and provincial powers.

The province government had also filed six separate cases against the federal government at the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench.

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Finance Ministry releases Rs 1.68 million in prize to Boxing Champions

Kathmandu, Nov 6: The Ministry of Finance has released the amount to be given to the coach and medal winner boxing players of ASBC U-22 under the men’s and women’s category held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Member-Secretary of National Sports Council Tanka Lal Ghising said that the Ministry released the budget for the cash prize as stated in the Sports Development Regulatios-2079 BS.  

The released amount is Rs 1.68 million for four winning players and two coaches.   In the tournament held in January 2023, Nepal had won a silver medal and three bronze medals.

Boxer Sushma Tamang won silver medal while Hema Rai, Trisha Jagebu and Bijaya Batala won bronze medals.  Sushma shall get Rs 600,000 in cash while three others will get Rs 300,000 each. 

Likewise, coach Dipak Maharjan and assistant coach Sandip Shrestha would receive Rs 180,000 in cash.

India hands over 2nd consignment of earthquake relief materials to Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov 6: India has handed over the second consignment of emergency relief materials for earthquake-affected families in Nepal.

Deputy Chief of Mission of Indian Embassy in Nepal, Prasanna Shrivastava on Monday handed over the second consignment of emergency materials to Chief District Officer of Banke Shrawan Kumar Pokhrel in presence of Nepalgunj Mayor Prashant Bista.

The consignment of nine tonnes of relief material was transported to Nepalgunj by a special Indian Air Force C-130 and comprised essential medical and hygiene supplies, tents, sleeping bags and blankets.

This is part of the Government of India’s efforts to support the Government of Nepal in the wake of the earthquake in Jajarkot on November 3. The first consignment of more than 11 tonnes relief materials provided by India which included tents, tarpaulin sheets, blankets, and sleeping bags along with essential medicines and medical equipment was handed over to the Government of Nepal on November 5.

India continues to remains steadfast in extending all possible support to the Government of Nepal in the aftermath of the Jajarkot earthquake.

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