- Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Patan (Lalitpur), Dec 24: Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has remembered the late leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, who was known as ‘Kisunji’ among his colleagues, as a ‘selfless personality’.
In his address to a discussion organised at the NC central office, marking the 100th birth anniversary of the late NC leader and former Prime Minister, Deuba said he found Bhattarai always self-sacrificing.
“I had met him first time in Nakkhu jail and he had a person with a sense of honour. He never seemed worried, was unselfish and established him as an altruistic personality,” Deuba remembered him, reflecting those days when political leaders were jailed for advocating for democracy.
Deuba utilised the moment to acknowledge Bhattarai’s contribution to issuing the 1990’s Constitution that was, as he said, owned by the then monarchy as well as the citizens levels.
He pressed an idea for further exploring on the personality of Bhattarai and documenting the findings.
Also speaking on the occasion, Nepali Congress Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Purna Bahadur Khadka, remembered Kisunji as a leader with dedication, integrity and unselfishness.
“He had no animosity with anyone. He did not accuse anyone when he lost the election while serving as the party President and prevented the party from a possible split. He had high dedication to the nation and people,” Khadka said, adding that Bhattarai proved himself as a trustworthy leader among the citizens, party carders and in the world.
NC Vice President and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dhanraj Gurung, was of the view that it would real tributes to Kisunji if integrity and simplicity he exhibited throughout his life could be followed. He was a relentless fighter for the case of nation, citizens and democracy, he added.
Likewise, party joint general secretary Mahalaxmi Upadhyay ‘Dina’ stressed that it was the responsibility of the NC to keep Kisunji’s ideology intact. “Kisunji who also contributed to the independent movement in India is memorable figure in history.”
—
Two judges recommended for appointment to High Court
Kathmandu, Dec 24: A meeting of the Judicial Council today recommended the name of Chief Registrar Lal Bahadur Kunwar and Registrar Nirmala Poudel at the Supreme Court for appointment as Judges of the High Court.
The meeting chaired by Chief Justice and Council Chair Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha made this recommendation.
Accordingly, the Council has assigned the responsibility to Kunwar at the High Court Patan and to Poudel at the High Court Pokhara.
Likewise, the Council meeting today has transferred Judge Chandra Bahadur Saru of Butwal bench under the High Court Tulasipur to the Nepalgunj bench under the High Court Tulasipur.
—
Buki Cup volleyball tournament from today
Gandaki, Dec 24: The National Buki Cup volleyball tournament starts today at Galkot in Baglung.
Five teams including Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police Club, Nepal APF Club, Gandaki Province and Galkot Municipality are competing in the event, according to the tournament coordinator, Mohan KC.
In the competition held for the first time, the first prize includes trophy and a cash prize of Rs 500,000, the second prize is Rs 250,000 and the third prize is Rs 125,000. The tournament is organised by Himalayan Musical Event Management and Films, Pokhara in coordination with Galkot Municipality and Galkot City Sports Development Committee. Nepal Volleyball Association, Gandaki Province Volleyball Association, District Volleyball Association Baglung, Galkot Industry and Commerce Association and Municipal Volleyball Association Galkot are the co-organisers.
The matches will be played at ground located in Galkot Municipality-6.
As sideline event, a musical program, dance competition ‘Galkot Dance Idol’, fun fair and the like will also be conducted. The event will conclude on December 31.
—
Sign language interpretation at KMC help desk
Kathmandu, Dec 24: A sign language interpreter will be placed at the help desk of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) central office.
The KMC has decided to have this provision to ensure that no customer is deprived of service due to communication barriers. Special priority is being given to ensure inclusive and accessible governance for the KMC service recipients, said Ramkumar KC, social committee coordinator of KMC.
Along with the new service at the office, the KMC will also provide sign language training to target groups based on their needs.
Meanwhile, the KMC has requested organizations interested in conducting practical and experimental classes under the KMC ‘Bookless Friday Program’ in schools from Grade classes 1 to 8 of the metropolis.
The KMC has been conducting book free Friday program in 81 public or institutional schools in the metropolis. The main objective of the program is to educate children by giving practical knowledge and daily life skills, said Sitaram Koirala, the head of KMC Education Department.
The KMC has allocated a total of Rs.1.3 billion for education in the current financial year and has arranged separate funds for the skills development program in education.
—
Cabinet expanded in Lumbini
Tulsipur (Dang), Dec 24: The Council of Ministers has been expanded in Lumbini province. The members of the cabinet have been added by Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary after seven months.
Two ministers were inducted on Saturday. Krishna KC from CPN (Maoist Centre) has been appointed as Minister of Water Supply, Rural and Cooperatives Development while Saroj Thapa of Nepali Congress has been appointed as Minister of Tourism and Transport.
Lumbini had a seven-member cabinet including the Chief Minister. With the addition of two ministers on Saturday, there is now a nine-member cabinet in Lumbini.
The newly appointed ministers will take oath of office and secrecy at a function to be held later today.
—
Gupteshwar Cave earns more 50 million in year
Gandaki, Dec 24: The Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave in Chorepatan, Pokhara has earned 54.2 million rupees in one year. The historic, religious and tourist site is a popular site among tourists visiting Pokhara.
According to the information shared at the 28th Annual General Meeting of Gupteshwar Mahadev Cave Conservation Committee, Rs. 42.8 million was collected from ticket sales, Rs. 2.7 million from donation box, Rs. 5.1 million from donation receipts, Rs. 1.6 million from bank interest and others from rented out business complex and membership, among others.
Chief Judge of Pokhara High Court, Madhav Prasad Pokharel, while inaugurating the AGM on Saturday, emphasized that the income of the religious sector should be invested in the development of education, health and the society as a whole.
At the function, Gandaki Provincial Assembly Secretary Hariram Pokhrel and Dhanusha District Judge Yognath Dhakal were honoured for their contribution in conservation of the cave.
—
Minister of State Chapain in on-site monitoring
Bhojpur, Dec 24: Minister of State for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Nanda Chapain, has carried out an on-site monitoring of Mid-hill highway and the Koshi Highway.
Minister of State Chapain is scheduled to inspect various road sections under the Mid-hill highway along with Diktel-Chakhewa, Chakhewa-Leguwa in Bhojpur and Khandbari-Bhotkhola Kimathanka road section of Koshi Highway.
Speaking to media persons this morning, Minister of State Chapain said that the roads along with other structures being constructed under the ministry are being monitored. “After the monitoring, I will prepare a report on the status and the works to be done and submit it to the ministry”, she said.
The ministry is committed to carry out development and construction work in a quality and efficient manner. I will take the initiative on my part to address the problems that have been identified, she added.
—
Nepal sending special souvenirs for Ram Mandir installation
Janakpurdham, Dec 24: Special souvenirs are being sent from Nepal on the occasion of Sri Ram Mandir Installation Ceremony to be held in Ayodhya, India.
A Janakpurdham-Ayodhyadham journey will be carried out to deliver the special souvenirs. The souvenirs will consist of various types of jewellery, utensils, clothes and sweets. The journey will start from January 18 with the plan of handing over the souvenirs to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Ram Mandir Trust in Ayodhya on January 20, said joint Mahanta of Janaki temple Ramroshan Das Vaishnav.
The journey from Janakpurdham will pass through Jaleshwar Nath, Malangwa, Simraungadh, Gadhimai, Birgunj to Betiya, Kushinagar, Siddharthnagar Gorakhpur and reach Ayodhya in India.
Earlier, Shaligram stones collected from the Kaligandaki river bank in Nepal were sent to Ayodhya to make the statute of Lord Ram in the temple. Two massive stones weighing 23 tons and 15 tons were sent to Ayodhya from Nepal along with a special procession.
—
260 rescued from Birgunj transit point in a year
Birgunj (Parsa), Dec 24: A total of 260 individuals believed to be at risk of trafficking were rescued from the Birgunj transit point along the Nepal-India border in Parsa in a period of one year.
Among them, 257 are women and girls while three were male children. The rescues were possible due to the efforts of Maiti Nepal.
The majority of those rescued hail from Parsa, Sarlahi, Dhanusha and Mahottari districts in Madhesh Province and Jhapa in Koshi Province.
Maiti Nepal, Ashish Social Service Nepal, Aafanta Nepal, Tiny Hand Nepal and Nepal Police make surveillance against possible human trafficking via Birgunj along the Nepal-India border. However, locals have demanded the security people increase surveillance at the Bhishwa and Bhangaha points as well.
—
PM Dahal consults top leaders of major parties on finalizing TJ
Kathmandu, Dec 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has held consultations with the top leaders of major parties on finalization of the transitional justice.
Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress chief whip Ramesh Lekhak were present in the discussions held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Baluwatar today.
On the occasion, the leaders talked on various topics including finalizing the remaining tasks of the peace process in relation to the transitional justice, said Manohari Timilsina, the press expert to the Prime Minister. The meeting will be held on Monday as well, Timilsina added.
The bill for amending the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) and the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Act, 2071 is still under consideration in the Federal Parliament.
Preparation has been made to pass this bill in the coming session of the Federal Parliament forging consensus at the highest political level. The government is in preparation to summon the winter session of the Federal Parliament.
—
6th Rhino Gold Cup from February 10
Nawalpur, Dec 24: The Rhino Gold Cup carrying the highest cash prize in football championship in the mofussil is set to start from February 10, 2024 at Madhyabindu of Nawalparasi (Bardghat-Susta East).
The tournament aims to create awareness on the significance of preserving one-horned rhinoceros and promoting internal eco-tourism simultaneously.
The soccer tournament, to be organized by Rhino Club, is set to conclude on February 21, offering substantial cash rewards. The first-placed team will be awarded one million and the first-runner up team 500 thousand, as announced by Rhino Club Chair, Doman Bahadur Bhandari.
In addition to team prizes, players will be presented attractive prizes in various categories such as best player, highest scorer, best goalkeeper, best defender, best striker, and coach.
A total of 12 teams, including departmental clubs like Tribhuvan Army Club, Nepal Police, APF, and four provincial teams from Gandaki, Lumbini, Madhesh, and Bagamati, will compete for the prestigious title.
The estimated cost to organize the event, which first commenced in 2070 BS, is around Rs 7 million. Madhyabindu municipality mayor, Bhimlal Adhikari, has pledged support for the continuity of such matches and the enhancement of sports within the locality.
—
Ichchhakamana farmers earn 100 million from orange
Chitwan, Dec 24: Farmers in Ichchhakamana rural municipality are poised to make bountiful earning from orange farming alone. More than 450 farmers in the rural municipality are set to earn Rs 100 million this year alone from the sale of oranges, according to the Agriculture Development Section of the rural municipality. The oranges produced by farmers have fetched a good price this year, thus resulting in huge income.
Section Chief Ashish Tripathi said a kilo of orange fetches Rs 75 to Rs 90 at the farmer’s orchard at present.
Orange is grown on 80 hectares of land in Ichchhakamana rural municipality this year and of this area, oranges have been produced in 60 hectares area. Tripathi said 15,000 out of the 20,000 orange trees grown in the rural municipality produced fruits. “The production is less this year compared to the previous year. Although the production is small, the farmers good a good price this year.
Last year, 5,100 orange trees were planted under the Orange Growing Area Expansion Programme launched by the Agriculture Knowledge Centre (AKC). So, the orange plantation area expanded this year as compared to the last year, but the area with higher production did not expand.
According to him, orange production this year has declined by 12 percent compared to the production last year. The production last year was 1,650 metric tonnes and the production this year is 1, 500 metric tonnes.
Orange farming is done in Ichchhakamana rural municipality and in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29, the two hilly areas of Chitwan district.
—
Achievements of UML’s Resolution March made public
Kathmandu, Dec 24: The CPN (UML) today made public the achievements of its ‘Resolution March for Prosperity’, centred on the Mid-hills (Pushpalal) highway. The march started from Jhulaghat of Baitadi district on November 30 and concluded upon reaching Chiwa Bhanjyang of Panchthar on December 17.
It was stated in a press conference organized at the party central office Chyasal and in the presence of UML Chair KP Sharma Oli today that the ‘resolution march’ has achieved important milestone in linking development, prosperity and nationality, besides bringing enthusiasm in the party and amongst the party workers and the local people.
Describing the march as unprecedented and unforgettable, Chair Oli urged the government to give priority to the development and prosperity of the mid-hilly region. Public assemblies and meetings, and discussions with college and school students were held in course of the campaign with the spirit and message of ‘Relation Local, Message National’.
Similarly, the UML stated that interaction with the local farmers, dialogue with agriculture scientists, observation of developmental works and meeting with entrepreneurs carrying out model works, observation of historical, religious and cultural places, and collection of people’s experiences, grievances and feedback were other highlights of the campaign.
UML general-secretary Shankar Pokhrel said the campaign helped the party in identifying the growing outmigration from the hills and seeking solution to it, in promoting social harmony and national unity, and in understanding the economic, social, cultural and religious condition as well as the industrial and tourism potentials of the mid-hilly region.
The party top leadership, central office-bearers, the standing committee, politburo and central members and technical teams participated in the Resolution March.
—
Schedule for temporary closure of Narayangadh-Muglin road changed
Chitwan, Dec 24: The schedule for a partial closing the Narayangadh-Muglin road section has been changed. The Nagdhunga-Muglin Road Project West Section today issued a notice about the change of the timetable.
As per the new timetable, the road shall remain closed from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm each day instead of earlier scheduled of 11:00 am to 3:00 am to undertake the road widening works. Project’s information office engineer Krishna Acharya said the need to cut the soil mass to construct a bridge over the Tuine River has demanded the closure of the road for four years since Saturday.
The geographical characteristic of the area makes the construction of a diversion challenging, it is said. Vehicles will not be allowed to ply at various six locations towards Chitwan and Tanahu during the specified construction hours.
For vehicles bound to Narayangadh-Muglin, stopping points have been designated at 15 kilos market-Jugedi for passenger buses and Bhateri forest-Ramnagar for containers. Similarly, passenger buses arriving from Kathmandu will be halted from Muglin Bazar to Manakamana cable car, while containers will be stopped at Lewatar.
Passenger buses arriving from Pokhara will be halted at Benitar-Power House point, and containers will be stopped at the Satrasay Phant. The soil cutting works will be carried out over three weeks in the first phase.
Given that more than 10,000 vehicles use this road daily as a major route for transportation between Terai and the federal capital Kathmandu, the Chitwan District Traffic Police Office has urges everyone to explore alternative routes during the four-hour suspension of vehicular movement to avoid potential unexpected traffic jams.
—
Automated cause-list launched in High Courts
Kathmandu, Dec 24: Automated cause list management system has been launched at the High Courts throughout the country from today.
Chief Justice Bishwombhar Prasad Shrestha inaugurated the system amidst a programme held at the High Court Patan. There are 18 high courts, including one high court in each province and the temporary benches. The cause list would be determined through this automated system at all these courts from today.
On the occasion, Chief Justice Shrestha said the service-recipients would be able to access services in easy manner and the quality, transparency and credibility of the service would be enhanced when the courts are fully made technology-friendly.
“We have started the system of determining the cause-list at high courts also through the automated machine after it was a success at the Supreme Court. It is transparent, credible and ensures quality. It is not done on the basis of one’s special request. This system is initiated in high courts for the first time in the judiciary’s history,” the Chief Justice said.
According to him, this system has been possible from the human resources available at the IT Division of the Supreme Court alone and a study is ongoing for starting this service at district courts in the coming days.
“There is no discrimination in determining the cause-list through this system. Works in which the court and the bar have to carry out together are done in an effective manner. We are making a study regarding managing a system of registering cases at the Supreme Court from own law firm in the near future. This work has reached the final stage,” he further added.
Stating that preparations are being made to create a situation in which one will not have to go to the court for taking a court date, Chief Justice Shrestha said arrangements are being made to conduct hearings via online at the Supreme Court and high courts as well.
He also shared on the occasion that preparation is being made to conduct online hearing at the remaining high, special and labour courts and at the foreign employment tribunal as well.
—
PM Dahal cautions against any shortcomings in aircraft purchase process
Kathmandu, Dec 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to move ahead the process of purchasing aircraft in a transparent manner, leaving no room for any error and dispute.
He gave this directive in the joint briefing and discussions programme of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Water Supply held at the Singha Durbar today.
“Questions are always raised in aircraft purchase deals in Nepal. Let there be no such errors this time. The aircraft purchase process should be cent per cent correct, error-free and transparent. There should be no mistakes and questions like in the past in the procurement process this time,” he reiterated.
The PM also spoke on the need of changing several of our tourism-related policies and regulations as they are not tourist-friendly. “Let us all think about creating a conducive environment for the tourists. You bring the proposals and let us attract tourists by opening up the prohibited areas. Night time services should also be opened in the tourist areas and the government should be flexible in this too,” he said.
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati said the airports constructed on the basis of ‘political pressure’ were not operating in an effective way, stressing on the need of constructing airports only on the need-basis in the coming days.
He said solution should be sought for the areas prohibited for tourists and suggested making diplomatic initiation for operating the Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports in their full capacity.
On the occasion, PM Dahal instructed the bodies concerned to immediately resolve the problem of the consumers having to pay water tariff even for taps which are dry. He directed for writing off the water tariff of consumers not getting water supply.
He also called for further expediting works on the Melamchi Water Supply Project while expressing happiness over the works currently being carried out in two shifts as per the 28-day integrated action plan for bringing 170 million litres water daily from Melamchi to Sundarijal of Kathmandu within a month.
The PM also urged the bodies concerned to look for other sources of water to supply water in the Kathmandu Valley which has a daily demand of 250 million litres water.
Water Supply Minister Mahendra Raya Yadav, Minister Kirati, Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sushila Shreepali, Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Water Supply Ministry secretary Suresh Acharya, Culture Secretary Deepak Kafle , Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar, among the officials put their views on topics related to works and responsibilities of their respective ministries.
—
