- Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Jajarkot, Dec 21: At least five persons, including a couple died when a tractor met with an accident nearby the Kot Chyarigaun rivulet at Aathbiskot municipality in Rukum (West) district.
The tractor (Ra 1 Da 14) en route to Aathbiskot-8, Ghartigaun from ward-10, Pirikot met with the accident when overturned. The tractor was carrying corrugated zinc sheets.
Police Inspector of the Area Police Office, Aathbiskot, Nabin Marasini informed that Lok Bahadur Shahi, 46, of Aathbiskot-10, Naula and his spouse Chuki Shahi, 42, died in the fatal accident.
Likewise, other deceased identified are Dhanaram Sharki, 48, of Aathbiskot-10, Danda, Bhater Sarki, 52, and Nirmala Sarki, 47, a statement issued by the Area Police Office, Aathbiskot noted.
According to the press release, the accident took place at around 10.15 pm last night.
Other nine persons were injured in the mishap. The injured are Khadka Bahadur Pun, 41, of Aathbiskot-8, Ramesh Sarki, 38, of Aathbiskot-10, Dal Bahadur Pun, 14, Kumar Gharti, 56, Rama Gurung, 34, Jagbir Sarki, 51, Jaya Bahadur Gharti, 36, Mane Sarki, 58, and Madan Pun, 42, of Aathbiskot-8.
The injured are undergoing treatment at the municipal hospital, police informed.
Tractor driver, Gopal BK, 21, of Aathbiskot-9 went at large after the accident, the statement said.
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Maintenance of East-West highway in Kanchanpur begins
Kanchanpur, Dec 21: Maintenance of Kanchanpur-Kailali road section along the East-West Highway has begun.
The re-maintenance of potholes on the road is being carried out through contract bidding.
Information Officer at the Road Division Office, Mahendranagar, Taranath Sigdel, shared repair related works have made progress by dividing the highway’s Kailali and Kanchanpur roads into two sections.
According to him, maintenance of roads from Lamki to Attariya and from Kanla Bridge to Gaddachauki is taking place through bidding.
As informed, maintenance is being carried out in 80-km road stretch in Kailali and 20-km in Kanchanpur area.
“The contract was out in a way to complete road maintenance works in three months”, he said, adding, “Mid-January is the deadline for the stipulated works”.
Likewise, a contract of Rs 70 million was signed for asphalt overlay along the 19-km stretch from Chisapani to Lamki.
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459 cases related to unfair transaction settled in Parsa
Birgunj (Parsa), Dec 21: The District Administration Office, Parsa has so far settled 459 complaints related to unscrupulous lending (loan-sharking).
Assistant Chief District Officer of Parsa, Shiva Prasad Lamsal informed that out of the 1,875 complaints registered online, 459 were cleared in a way to dispense justice to the victims through discussion method.
Two cases have been filed in the court after no agreement was reached. Assistant Chief District Officer Lamsal said that 459 complaints out of 918 registered were settled after consensus between the two sides. Around 16 bighas of 84 units of land have been returned after investigation and Rs 88.735 million has been returned on consent of both the parties, he shared.
At present, the highest number of complaints registered online against loan-sharks are related to the lending and land-related transactions. It was found that some people paid a small amount of money for it, and there was a tendency to keep bank cheques of more than double or triple as collateral.
Assistant CDO Lamsal said that during the investigation of the complaints, the accounts or other documents, witnesses were also called to the office for necessary inquiries. Necessary evidences were sought and maximum efforts were made for consensus. According to him, during the investigation, the amount mentioned in the paper of the transactions was investigated to know whether or not the need of the transaction were established.
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Chepang children in trouble with suspension of midday meal programme
Bharatpur (Chitwan), Dec 21: Neither slippers on the feet nor warm clothes on the body in the shivering cold season. Children belonging to Chepang community are studying in the National Primary School at Jinglau of Kalika Municipality-10 in Chitwan.
Some children come to the school on a hungry stomach. Lately some Chepang children have stopped turning up to school with the suspension of the government-sponsored midday meal programme.
Ram Lal Chepang, a teacher of the school, said the Jinglau students have been deprived of accessing midday meal for over one and a half months.
Even the school management and local government are not being informed of the suspension of the midday meal.
School head teacher Khumraj Bhatta however claimed distribution of midday meal has ot been halted in the school.
“I told school teachers to ask children’s parents for midday meal for now. The government-granted money has been deposited in the school’s account. I told them that disbursement will be made after observing attendance”, the school head teacher said.
On the other, Teacher Chepang said no parents have the capacity to accommodate mid-day meal for children so there is no option but to smoothly regularize the programme.
He claimed the suspension of the programme has direct bearing on the education of the Chepang children.
Gopal Chepang, a local, commented that the children here have been deprived of midday meal for the past two months. He termed it unfortunate for the school to discontinue the programme for which government provided resources.
Kalika municipality ward 10 chairperson Narjung Praja said directive was issued to the school management committee and head teacher for smoothly running the midday meal programme at the school.
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Free blood service to Nagarjun residents
Kathmandu, Dec 21: The residents of Nagarjun municipality will access blood service free of cost in need.
The Nepal Red Cross Society, Central Transfusion Service, Kalimati will freely provide the blood and blood products to the municipality residents when necessary.
A memorandum of understanding has been made between the central transfusion service and the municipality for free blood service up to mid-December 2024.
For this, the municipality and ward will also encourage and facilitate organizing blood donation events.
Municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer Suman Adhikari and Director of the Blood Transfusion Service Pawan Kumar Gupta signed the memorandum.
The MoU has been already signed with all municipalities of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu metropolis, Chandragiri municipality and Kirtipur municipality among other municipalities of Kathmandu for smooth blood service.
Efforts are being made to collaborate with remaining local government units, informed Nepal Red Cross Society Coordination Director Divya Raj Poudel.
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Four arrested through Interpol red notice in one week
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Nepal Police has of late taken help of Interpol red corner notice to arrest the accused in various cases.
In a span of one week, four people have been arrested following the issuance of a red notice from the Interpol General Secretariat, according to Nepal Police Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kuber Kadayat.
Among them, three were apprehended from Dubai of the United Arab Emirates and one from Kuwait.
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Jhijha folks still struggling to regain dignity
Janakpurdham, Dec 21: Biltu Mandal, a resident of Bideha municipality-4 in Dhanusha, faced family concerns over his decision to enroll his daughter in the local National Primary Secondary School. It was the incidence of some years ago. However, he was firm in his decision and send the daughter to the school.
When questioned about the cause of the family’s concern regarding the school choice, Biltu explained that his family was opposed to sending the child to a school where children from the Jhijha settlement were admitted.
It is believed that ancestors of Jhijha folks were allegedly engaged in looting and dacoity, leading to the discriminatory social perception against the community.
Presently in class five, Mandal’s daughter is one of 124 students in the school (from class one to five), with the vast majority, except for four, belonging to the Dalit community: Paswan and Mahara surnames.
However, Mandal is not sure whether his decision was right whenever he assesses the current situation of the school. While ancestral background was not his primary concern, the status of the school and settlement now worries him. He said, “Sometimes I questions myself whether I am ruining the future of my child by not sending her to a school with good educational atmosphere.”
Birendra Paswan interrupted Mandal to express dissatisfaction over societal discrimination against Jhijha based on ancestral issues. He proclaimed that their community is now self-sufficient and relies on hardship and labor.
Mukesh Paswan, a member of Ward No. 4, who was listening nearby, said despite carrying a history of 63 years of establishment, the school was neglected by the State in the past and present, too. The school was established in 2017 BS. He accused the government from the federal to local levels of overlooking the issues of Jhijha folks and the future of their children.
The village, located 30 kilometers east-south from Janakpur, the capital of Madhesh Province, was reportedly plagued by poverty, unemployment and lack of education in the past, forcing the people to resort to ‘looting’ to meet their survival needs.
Journalist Shailendra Mahato, well-aware of the issues of Jhijha, stated that foreign employment, farming, daily wage labor, and other occupations are now the identities of the village.
A local Mukesh said although Jhijha folks have started other occupations since decades for dignified life, they are still neglected. Shree Rastriya Primary School can be taken as the example, he added.
‘The school is not in anyone’s priority and no one is paying attention for making arrangement of teachers and the physical infrastructures development. The local level also does not show its interest to take ownership of the school, which is snatching the rights of our children to quality basic education”, mentioned Mukesh.
Rastriya Primary School was established in 2017 BS and is one of the oldest government schools established in this area, but the school does not have its own name board. The school has been using one bighas and 17 kaththas of land which is not under its ownership.
Most of guardians said they have been feeling more humiliated after none of the governments formed since the then Panchayat paid any attention for the identity of the school, and arrangement of teachers and physical infrastructures.
A guardian Birendra Paswan shared that they feel so sorry while seeing their dream of making the future of new generation bright by imparting quality education at their door steps shattered.
A relief quota teacher Jay Prakash Paswan, who has been teaching at the school for the past 13 years, viewed that they could not made arrangement of teachers and infrastructures even after guardians, school management committee and himself made efforts for the same.
Head teacher Bhogendra Maharan (Yadav) shared that problems have been encountered in the teaching-learning activities for not being able to manage the physical infrastructures and teachers. “There was only one teacher at this school when I arrived here in 2018. Three teachers were sent here on relief quota after approaching the district education office many times asking for teachers. But these teachers were transferred to another school without even consulting us,” he complained.
In the meantime, the efforts that we have put in for improving the school have almost been wasted. The number of students is going down. However, we have been trying to convince the students and parents that the problem would be resolved. We are still not sure if the problem will be resolved any time soon, he added.
Four teachers’ quotas are allocated for the school and among them two are teachers and one is for a female teacher for the ECD. There are only two teachers at the school at present and students from Grade 1 to 5 are taught in two groups at the same time.
Since the last one year the day meal that used to be given to the students has been suspended due to some misunderstanding between the school and the municipality. There is complain that not only the three tiers of the government, but even the lawmakers elected from this area have not shown any interest in improving the situation at the school.
“Last time we requested a lawmaker from this area to take initiatives for the allocation of funds from the parliamentary constituency development fund for constructing the compound wall and for managing essential services at the school. Instead, that lawmaker managed to mobilize Rs 2.5 million for constructing a temple right next to the school and Rs 1.5 million for building the ghat of a local pond,” the locals said in a chorous.
Wajib Pramani, Chair of Ward No. 4 of the Municipality, said they talked to the authorities several times for managing teachers for the school, but all in vain. “Instead, the Municipality has transferred two teachers at the school who were hired under relief quota on deputation to another school,” Pramani expressed his frustration.
School Management Committee chair Surendra Paswan said efforts are being made to resolve the problem and improve the situation of the school after holding talks with the stakeholders, including the Mayor and the chief administrative officer, among others.
“It was said that initiatives could not be taken for resolving the school-related problems for absence of a school management committee. Now, we have formed the school management committee under my leadership. The committee has discussed with the Municipality on the urgent need of constructing the compound wall, school building and management of teachers. We have been given assurances for the same. Let’s see, what happens,” he said.
Eighty-seven households in this settlement belong to the Paswan community and 20 to the Mahara community.
Before this, more than 200 Paswan families from this settlement were relocated to Lalbandi, providing them land, in 1978.
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CPN (Maoist Centre)’s statute convention in third week of February
Kathmandu, Dec 21: The CPN (Maoist Centre) is to organise its statute convention in the third week of coming February.
A meeting of central office-bearers of the party presided by party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ today took the decision to hold meeting of standing committee and central committee before the statute convention.
A standing committee meeting is to take place within mid-January, 2024. Party Secretary Ganesh Shah told RSS that the meeting also formed a seven-member statute draft committee. Party Vice-Chair Pampha Bhusal, General-Secretary Dev Prasad Gurung, Deputy General-Secretaries—Giriraj Mani Pokharel, Barsha Man Pun and Janardan Sharma and Secretaries—Shah and Surendra Karki are in the committee.
The committee would prepare a draft of the statute within 15 days. Similarly, the meeting decided to conclude the party transformation campaign on January 1. It had launched the campaign from September 2.
The meeting drew the conclusion that the transformation campaign was effective.
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Lawmakers propose to further revise Citizenship Act to end discrimination
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Lawmakers have called for further revising the citizenship law. As they argued, the latest amendment to the Citizenship Act has not adequately addressed the citizenship issues and it should be revised incorporating the constitutional provisions.
Taking part in an interaction on “full citizen, full rights: equal rights in citizenship” organised by the Forum for Women, Law and Development, marking the completion of 44 years of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations (CEDAW) here today, President of Education, Health and Information Technology Committee, House of Representatives, Bhanubhakta Joshi, said the citizenship law should be enhanced being based on the special characteristics of the nation with an open border in the south.
Citing the example of Sonia Gandhi in India constitutionally prevented from becoming the Prime Minister of India despite her significant contribution to India’s politics, he argued that allocation of political rights on the basis of citizens may cause problems. “Nepal’s constitution is progressive and the citizenship law should be further systematized on the basis of characteristics of the nation.”
House of Representatives’ Women and Social Affairs Committee President Kiran Kumar Shah said the latest amendments to the Citizenship Act are incomplete and the gap should be addressed. According to Shah, the interests of political parties have caused issues in the citizenship law.
Lawmaker Ranju Thakur welcomed the existing provision regarding the naturalized citizenship based on the marital status, but objected to the provision of punishment (three year jail sentence) for a citizen registered under mother’s name by declaring that the father of the child is unknown in case the father is identified later. “The provision is discriminatory.”
Amrita Devi Agrahari said, ‘Mother’s recommendations are sufficient for obtaining a citizenship,” and it should be ensured systematically. “There should be no issues in the process after the recommendation is made.”
Ishwari Gharti criticized the State’s discriminatory approach towards women in citizenship law and proposed a joint resolution motion by lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties to address the matter. Sabin Shrestha, the executive director of the Forum, highlighted the discriminatory nature of granting naturalized citizenship to the offspring of Nepali women marrying foreigners, urging improvements to this provision.
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PM Dahal stresses on development of systematic cities based on topography
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has pointed out the inevitability of developing systematic cities in a planned manner in step with the country’s topographical features.
Addressing the joint annual review meeting of the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Forests and Environment in Singha Durbar today, he said the development strategy should be to interconnect east and west and the north and south of the country.
The Prime Minister stressed on the need of building systematic model city within the Kathmandu Valley, referring to having brought forward the concept of ‘smart city’ during his second term as Prime Minister.
“Now, we should develop well-planned cities. We have called this as smart city. This long-term strategy should be implemented mulling it seriously,” he said. Stating that some local governments are facing problem in service delivery for delay in the construction of their administrative buildings, PM Dahal stressed on constructing the administrative buildings of the local levels which are the governments closest to the people at the earliest.
He also stressed on taking ahead construction of systematic urbanization and the urban beautification simultaneously. “The construction of the Mid-hill Highway was started when I became the Prime Minister for first time. We had also forwarded the construction of the Hulaki (Postal) Highway. The north-south corridor is also our concept of development. The development model should be in tune with the country’s condition, the geographical features and the developing economic characteristics,” the PM said.
Prime Minister Dahal underscored the need of making many policy and legal improvements in the forest and environment sectors, saying the Act of 2029 BS did not address the present situation. He added that the narrative that forest and development are incompatible should be changed.
Talking about the reality of Nepal’s importing timber worth billions of rupees annually despite the country being rich in the forest resources, he said the situation of not being able to even use easily the timber from fallen trees in the forest should be put to an end.
Urban Development Minister Sita Gurung informed the meeting about the condition of having to carry out work amidst large number of projects and the budget limitation. She suggested including the project of developing systematic cities also as the national pride projects.
Minister Gurung stated that the Ministry has made some progress towards constructing private houses in a period of one year, and now it will be focused on constructing the private houses damaged due to the earthquake.
Saying activities of development projects have been affected due to lengthy legal process for cutting down trees and the unscientific customs policy of timber export, Minister for Forests and Environment, Birendra Mahato, mentioned that the Ministry has been focusing its attention to resolve such problems.
Similarly, Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal pointed out the need of forwarding forest and development as the supportive of each other.
Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, Saraju Baidya, shared that initiatives were taken for effective implementation of foreign aid budget as well as necessity of appropriate coordination between project level and budget management was seen, stressing on the need of increasing human resources in view of work pressure.
He further said the Ministry has already made preparation to make reconstruction of the houses damaged by earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West effective.
Likewise, Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Deepak Kharal, viewed that the ministry was active to resolve all the problems as it took a long time and huge human resources in utilization of forest areas and cutting trees as well as for environmental impact assessment.
Secretaries at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers—Ek Narayan Aryal and Ganesh Pandey – pointed out the need of adopting a liberal policy for the use of timber produced in Nepal within the country, stressing that activities related to environmental impact assessment would be carried out in a smooth and effective manner.
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Valley temperature plummets to 4.5 degrees Celsius
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Temperature in the Kathmandu Valley is plummeting each day. Today, it recorded the lowest temperature of the year.
On Wednesday, the Valley’s minimum temperature was measured at 5 degrees Celsius and it dropped to 4.5 this morning, according to meteorologist Rojan Lamichhane.
“The Kathmandu Valley today recorded this year’s lowest temperature which was 4.5 degrees Celsius at 8:45 am today,” he said.
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Trade, investment issues discussed during Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Matters concerning trade, investment and mutual concerns, and interests were discussed during the Nepal-Sri Lanka ministerial-level meeting.
During a meeting of the Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission here today, topics relating to trade, investment increase, expansion of air connectivity between the two countries, promotion of cooperation in culture, tourism and education sector, strengthening of SAARC and BIMSTEC and cooperation in the regional and multi-sectoral forums were discussed, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud led the Nepali delegation and Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs M U M Ali Sabry headed the delegation from Sri Lanka in the meeting.
On the occasion both sides expressed satisfactions over the launch of the Kathmandu-Colombo air service, discussing about the plan to connect Colombo and Lumbini by air.
The Ministers exchanged views on consequences of climate change both countries experience. They insisted on the need to primary mobilization of Climate Justice Fund and the Climate Impact Fund, and the promotion of regional and international cooperation, it is said.
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EC determines voting stations for NA election
Kathmandu, Dec 21: The Election Commission (EC) has determined one voting station in each province for National Assembly election scheduled for January 25.
Similarly, two polling booths have been set up in each voting station.
The EC fixed Province Election Office, Biratnagar, Morang, as the voting station for Koshi Province, the Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Mithila Culture Centre, Janakpurdham, Dhanusha, for Madhes Province, Bhutandevi Secondary School, Technical School, Hetauda, for Bagmati Province, Province Election Office, Pokhara, Kaski, for Gandaki Province, building of the Karmachari Milan Kendra, Ghorahi, Dang for Lumbini Province, Province Election Office, Surkhet, for Karnali Province and Province Assembly building, Dhangadhi for Sudurpaschim Province.
Issuing a press release today, EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel mentioned that separate polling booths have been determined in the voting station for Province Assembly members and chairperson, vice-chairperson of rural municipalities, and the mayor and deputy mayor of municipalities to cast their votes.
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Rolpa’s development is government top priority: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the development of Rolpa, which had played a significant role in the country’s political transformation, is the top priority of the government.
The Prime Minister pledged to initiate to complete the project regarding the construction of the Shahid Marga (Martyrs’ Highway) while also focusing on other development needs in the district.
A delegation of people’s representatives from Rolpa on behalf of the CPN (Maoist Centre) at the federal, province and local levels today called on party central Chair and Prime Minister Dahal and apprised him of budgetary issues in the completion of the projects. In response, Dahal said the government accorded top priority to the development of Rolpa.
The delegation led by federal lawmaker from Rolpa and party’s deputy general secretary, Barshaman Pun, reached the Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar with the urge to ensure budget for the project.
According to Pun, during the meeting, they drew the Prime Minister’s attention towards the delay in project implementation. The project that kicked off in the fiscal year 2064-65 BS (2007-08) is yet to complete.
It starts from Ghorahi of Dang and ends in Hukam-Maikot in Rukum East, passing through Holeri and Ghartigau of Rolpa.
The delegation comprised Lumbini Province Assembly member Dipendra Pun, Rolpa municipality mayor Surendra Thapa Gharti, Madi rural municipality chair Amar Singh Gharti, Tribeni rural municipality chair Karna Bahadur Bantha Magar, Runtigadhi rural municipality chair Janak Pun and Paribartan rural municipality chair Suk Bahadur Budha, among others.
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Minister Basnet instructs employees to focus on important works
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet has instructed the employees at the ministry and subordinate bodies to not be busy in works elsewhere leaving the important works of the government and the ministry.
Addressing the meeting of the high officials of the ministry and bodies under it at the Ministry today, he urged the employees to carry out the works of the people in an effective way and create a situation wherein there are no complaints regarding the works.
“Please busy yourselves in the ministry’s works and stop the unnecessary meetings,” Minister Basnet told the officials. He called on the high officials to give the objective information regarding problems in terms of policy, legal and structural aspects, stressing that results could be achieved if all the entities under the ministry worked sincerely.
Stating that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachnada’ has already started the trend of coming to his office regularly sharp at 10 am and taking up the office works, he instructed the ministry officials to also do the same.
The Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister directed the bodies under the ministry to present a clear-cut outline of policy reforms that have to be carried out to resolve the problems encountered in the development-construction works, the kind of decisions that have to be taken regarding use of forest areas and the complexities seen in the use of land and in the construction of transmission lines.
He urged the high-officials of the ministry to forward the process if it is required to even amend the Acts.
Energy Secretary Gopal Sigdel, Irrigation Secretary Sushil Chandra Tiwari and Secretary at the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat Sarita Duwadi expressed the commitment to carry out works by improving the work style, calling upon all the employees to do the same and have others follow it.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) executive director Kulman Ghising complained that although it has been long time since NEA send to the Finance Ministry the proposal for recruiting employees required for NEA for its approval, it has not been approved yet. He said he NEA is in need of nearly 4,000 electrical engineers.
Ghising also shared that problems have been seen in the selection of contractors due to the working procedures prepared by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Electricity Development Department director-general Chiranjivi Chataut requested for resolving the problem related to ensuring the resources for the Budhiganga Hydroelectricity Project. He said there is need of taking appropriate decision immediately as problem has been encountered in moving forward the project due to the land ceiling.
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Draft on regulation of social sites prepared
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has prepared a draft of the bill for the regulation and management of social sites.
The government has made preparation to present the bill in the federal parliament for the regulation of the social sites at a time when the questions are being raised in its use and misuse with rapid development of information and technology.
At an orientation organised by Advertisement Board today, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry, Netra Prasad Subedi, said the bill was prepared based on the request of general people and stakeholders in the context when regulation and management of social sites has become the issue of challenge, adding the draft would be made public soon for suggestion.
Sharing that such type of law is going to be formulated for the first time, also the coordinator of the bill draft committee, Subedi mentioned that the law would also address the issue of advertisement regulation in order to stop misuse of social sites and misinformation in social sites and harms caused by it.
The government of Nepal has already issued guideline related to social media. Board Chairperson Laxman Humagain shared that suggestions would be provided taking opinion of advertiser, agency and stakeholders on the proposed bill.
The Board with the consultation of stakeholders have prepared criteria of regulation for advertisement in digital platform and social sites as its regulation and management was necessary, he explained.
Similarly, Chairperson of Advertising Association of Nepal, Som Dhital, laid emphasis that 15 per cent service charge of advertisement agencies should not be curtailed and employment in advertisement market should not be discouraged while regulating it.
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Newly appointed six SC judges take oath in presence of President Paudel
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Newly appointed six judges of Supreme Court (SC) took an oath of office and secrecy before Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha amidst a programme here today.
They took the oath in presence of President Ramchandra Paudel at the ceremony held at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas.
The Parliamentary Hearing Committee on Wednesday endorsed the nominations of Saranga Subedi, Abdul Ajij Musalman, Mahesh Sharma Paudel, Tek Prasad Dhungana, Sunil Kumar Pokhrel and Balkrishna Dhakal as the apex court judges and it followed their appointments on the posts by the Head of the State same day.
The Committee had conducted parliamentary hearings on the recommendations on December 15, 17 and 18. The Judicial Council on November 21 nominated six as future SC judges.
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Contempt of court against the government
Kathmandu, Dec 21 : A case of contempt of court has been filed at the Supreme Court against the government for not following the order of the apex court to formulate a law related to climate change.
The case was filed by Advocate Padma Bahadur Shrestha, citing that the government has failed to formulate a law as per the order of the Supreme Court dated 25 December 2018. A hearing on the case filed today has been scheduled for December 26.
The apex court had directed the government to formulate a separate law for mitigation and adaptation of climate change and address the impact created by it.
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PM directs Energy Ministry to act boldly on energy sector
Kathmandu, Dec 21 : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation to work effectively for the development of energy sector, which he termed as ‘vital’ for the country’s economic development.
The PM has directed the Ministry to scrap the license of nonperforming companies that have held the hydropower projects’ license for long.
During a review meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Thursday afternoon, the PM said that the narrative of ‘river in bag’ is in vogue for long. “Taking license and holding them for long without developing projects is harmful for the country. We don’t need to be flexible here. We should scrap the license of such projects by developing certain criteria,” the PM directed.
The PM was speaking at the review meeting of the Energy Ministry and Communications Ministry. Likewise, the PM said that the tax system should be systematized by cutting the power supply of those failing to pay the power tariffs and added that there should be no compromise against those.
PM Prachanda asked to get the power tariffs by starting from the large power consumers. Similarly, the PM also directed the officials to work for the lasting management of the irrigation facilities by linking the river system. “Irrigation system is deeply linked to the agriculture. Let’s do homework for increasing productivity of agriculture,” PM Dahal cautioned.
On the occasion, the PM has asked the officials to mend their working style reminding the officials that the current government is entering in its second year. “I am mending my working style,” the PM said.
During the review meeting, the PM directed the Communications Ministry to think to safeguard the country’s media industry and simplify the advertisement policy. In the meeting, Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation, Shakti Basnet, admitted the plight that Nepal has to import electricity in winter though its exports power during summer season. He also shared problems relating to power consumption and export, seeking cooperation for it.
Similarly, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, shared that homework was on to foster quality and credibility of State-run media. Technology-friendly workforce is imperative, she said, adding Ncell had furnished information on share sales on Wednesday and study on it is underway.
Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal directed the officials at energy ministry to work seriously for implementing the agreement on export of 10,000 MW electricity. However, Energy Secretary Gopal Prasad Sigdel shared the problems that land acquisition process is full of hassles and even the public procurement system take times, thereby affecting project decisions.
Secretary at Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Krishna Bahadur Raut, said the ministry had given top priority to the formulation of policies relating to communications.
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Friendship Treaty with UK a strong bilateral mechanism
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud has said that the friendship treaty signed between Nepal and the United Kingdom 100 years ago is a strong international bilateral mechanism.
Speaking at a ceremony held today to mark the 100th anniversary of the Nepal-UK friendship treaty at the same hall of Singha Darbar where it was signed, he said it was a matter of pride for Nepal to sign a treaty with a great power of that time when many countries in Africa and Asia were still fighting for their political independence and against colonization. The friendship treaty was signed on December 21, 1923 while diplomatic relations between Nepal and Britain were established in 1816.
Nepal signed the treaty as a sovereign and independent nation on the basis of equality, Minister Saud said and added that in the past hundred years Nepal’s relations with the UK have grown manifold and expanded in many areas. “Britain has been a development partner of Nepal for a long time, since Nepal was included in the list of countries receiving grant aid. We are happy that bilateral trade, tourism and investment between our two countries are on the rise,” the foreign minister said.
Stating that the Nepal-UK relationship has made great strides since the signing of the treaty, Minister Saud said that it has expanded to economic partnership, trade and investment, tourism, the British Gurkhas and other dimensions of people-to-people relations.
Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal said that Nepal’s international relations expanded following the treaty which was followed by Britain establishing its first embassy in Kathmandu. Stating that the friendship between Nepal and Britain is important for bilateral relations, she mentioned that Britain is the major development partner of Nepal.
British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, said that due to the friendship treaty between the two countries Nepal never faced foreign occupation. He was of the view that Nepal located between two emerging economies in India and China should be able to benefit from the progress made by the two neighbours.
National Security Advisor Shankardas Bairagi, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, high ranking government officials, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were present at the ceremony.
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‘Development should be on the basis of population, geography’
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Mahindra Raya Yadav has said that development should be carried out on the basis of population and geography.
Speaking at the ‘National Urban Sanitation Conference-2023 organized by Nepal Municipality Association here Thursday, Minister Yadav said that the budget in the local level should be allocated also keeping population in view.
“Capital expenditure should be appropriately allocated in the local level. Effective work execution is likely if budget was allocated on the basis of population in the local level,” Minister Yadav added. He also shared that the government was thinking the ways to make the local governments further effective.
Saying that the budget should be allocated considering the human development indexes, Yadav argued that legal barriers should be replaced if there are any between the federal and local government.
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Interventions taken for good-governance, social justice and prosperity turned successful, PM says
Morang, Dec 21 : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the measures taken by the government for good governance, social justice and prosperity have become successful.
Talking to the media persons in Biratnagar Airport this evening, the PM said the government has taken crucial steps to maintain good-governance. He added that the measures taken by the government for social justice and prosperity have bode well adding that his government has carried out historical jobs despite tough situation of the present time.
Issues of the victims of the loan sharks have been addressed, citizenship related obstacles have been resolved and several efforts have been initiated for establishing social justice, PM Dahal added. Furthermore, PM Prachanda argued that his government has taken historical acts against corruption and for good-governance. He also argued that the government has acted aggressively against the land mafia and smugglers.
Elaborating his government’s actions, the PM said the current government has achieved success in maintaining balanced foreign relations.Regarding the Ncell’s share deal row, the PM vowed that no one will be allowed to escape beyond the country’s legal framework adding that he has already shared the fact, evidences and statistics about the Ncell at a meeting of the parliament’s State Affairs Committee.
Asking about the unification of the former Maoist groups and naming of his party, PM Dahal, who is also the CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair shared that discussions are underway to name the party giving the sentiment of socialism.
Also about the naming of Koshi Province, the PM argued that the issue should not be aggravated rather it should be resolved in an amicable environment.
On the occasion, he said that the government is planning to move ahead in a new style to work for the cause of the people by carrying out the development works and the ministers would be able to give milestones accordingly.
The PM is scheduled to attend different programmes in Sunsari and Morang districts on Friday.
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NSL: Birgunj defeats Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Dec 21 : Birgunj United has defeated Kathmandu Rayzrs in the match held today under Nepal Super League (NSL) football tournament.
In the match held at Dasharath Stadium, Tripureswar, Birgunj defeated Kathmandu by 4-1. For the winners, William Opoku scored a hat-trick while Sunil Khadka scored one goal.
For Kathmandu, Nkengue Juniour scored one goal. However, Kathmandu took the first lead in the game, with the goal by Juniour in the 21st minute of the game. In the extra time of the first half of the game, Birgunj got a penalty, which was converted by Opoku.
Similarly, in the second half of the game, Birgunj scored three more goals. Sunil Khadka scored in the first minute of the second half while Opoku scored two goals to complete his hat trick in the 56th and 57th minutes of the game.
With this win, Birgunj has scored eight points in seven games, rising to sixth position in the points table. Similarly, after today’s loss Kathmandu remains in fifth place with nine points in seven games.
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NC President blames electoral system behind alliance govt
Janakpurdham, Dec 21: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has blamed the electoral system behind formation of alliance government. He argued it is the electoral system that ensures inclusion and proportional representation, but single- party majority.
Present electoral system impedes parties to form single-party majority government, so there is no option but to forge coalition, he made it clear. NC President Deuba said it during the first Madhes convention of the party that kicked off here Thursday.
He underlined unity within party to strengthen new system. Party building must be prioritized, Deuba said, arguing that once the party is robust, the system becomes strong.
The NC President further viewed the NC and Madhes must be strong to fend off assaults on recent achievements as federalism and inclusion. On the occasion, Vice President of the party and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka said the complaints of Madhes province government on enforcement of federalism would be addressed soon. He reminded that although NC had presented proposal on constitution amendment to address issues of Madhes- centric parties, other parties did not cooperate with this bid.
Another Vice President of the party and Law Minister Dhan Raj Gurung informed that process to make laws required to enforce federalism had begun. The bad governance has cast down people of late. It is NC’s responsibility to restore people’s faith in governance, General Secretary Thapa viewed, “It is time to act rather than speak to pay heed to people’s hopes and frustration.”
Moreover, another General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma argued that once Madhes smiles, entire country smiles. Various other leaders addressed the programme.
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RSP for country’s development: President Lamichhane
Tanahun, Dec 21 : President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has said RSP is devoted to politics for country’s development.
Addressing a programme organized by his party at Bhimad-6 of Tahanu on Thursday, President Lamichhane vowed he would not involve in corruption and nor allow party leaders to do so.
If leadership is clean, party leaders get afraid to involve in illicit gain, he said, adding, “Corruption can be eliminated if bigwigs vow and act accordingly.” According to him, the recent files opened by government tell enough who are behind corruption.
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