- Monday, 29 April 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 16: A committee formed by the government to probe the Balkumari incident has submitted its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Friday.
Receiving the report, DPM Shrestha pledged to implement the findings that the committee drew after hard work.
Two youths, Birendra Shah of Chaurpati, Achham and Sujan Rawat of Mahabu, Dailekh, were killed in protest at Balkumari, Lalitpur on December 29, 2023. The protest had erupted between the foreign job aspirants and security persons in course of filling forms at the EPS Korea Branch Office, Balkumari.
The Council of Ministers then formed a three-member investigation panel coordinated by former Justice of High Court Shekhar Prasad Poudel on January 1 this year. The committee was tasked to probe the incident and furnish recommendations.
It sprung into action since January 5 and submitted its report on the 44th day.
The press statement issued here by committee chair Poudel stated that the investigation team inspected the incident site, recorded statements of altogether 16 persons including eye witnesses, families of victims, media persons, injured persons, specialist doctors and those related to the incident.
In addition, statements were taken from security personnel and others, read the press statement.
The report was prepared after collecting reports from the EPS Korea Branch at Balkumari, District Administration Office, Lalitpur, District Police Office, Lalitpur Armed Police Force, 21 number battalion and National Investigation District Office in Lalitpur, it was shared.
While preparing report, the committee thoroughly studied and analyzed the post-mortem report of the deceased and information obtained in emails besides probing the footages of CCTV of the Nepal Police and those available in and around the incident site.
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Nepal Literature Festival begins in Pokhara
Gandaki, Feb 16: The 11th edition of the Nepal Literature Festival has kicked off at Barahighat, Lakeside, in Pokhara. Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendraraj Pandey inaugurated the event.
On the occasion, he said that the Nepal Literature Festival would help establish Pokhara as a culturally rich city. “Social solidarity along with cultural diversity is a crucial aspect,” Pandey stated.
Pandey said that the literary event has offered a unique identity to Pokhara at a time when the preparations are ongoing to declare a touristic city to Pokhara.
He further said that the final goal of politics and literature is social transformation. “The role of arts and literature is instrumental in a political transformation of any country. Literature is a strong means of expressions. We politicians expect objective criticisms from literature.”
The organizer of the Festival shared that panel discussions would be held in several issues of arts, literature, music, education, politics, economics and others where experts would share their critical views.
After the inaugural session, former Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha made his keynote speech on ‘Constitution and Good-Governance’ and pointed out the lack of sense of willingness in decision-making and constitutional processes on our part. He underscored the need of progressive implementation of the constitution and called for its review.
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Two Indian nationals held with 35 kgs banned drug
Bara, Feb 16: Police have nabbed two Indian nationals from Bara district for possessing almost 35 kilograms of banned narcotics charas. The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bara, Suresh Prasad Kafle, said that 42-year-old Safir Ali and Mohammad Abjal, 44, of Bareth district in Uttar Pradesh, India, were held on their way to Birgunj from Hetauda. A team of police personnel deployed from Amlekhgunj Area Police Office also detained a vehicle with Indian number plate used by the accused ones.
Kafle stated that the two have been kept in police custody for further investigations after receiving permission from the Bara District Court.
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‘50% children with cancer are out of medical services’
Bharatpur, Feb 16: Pediatric oncologist Krishna Sagar Poudel of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan has shared that of the total cases more than 50 per cent children with cancer disease are still out of hospital’s access.
“More than 1,500 children in the country are estimated to have diagnosed with cancer every year. But, only 50 per cent of the estimates visit the hospitals. And, some 400 children with cancer visit the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital,” he stated.
Dr Poudel said so at a programme organized at the hospital on Thursday to distribute stationeries to the children with cancer.
On the occasion, he stated that 60 per cent of the childhood cancer cases visiting the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital for treatment is cured.
He added that only 30 per cent of the childhood cancer is cured in Nepal but it could be increased upto 80 per cent given that the number of beds in the hospitals are increased and accessible treatment services are expanded.
The event was organized also to aware the parents on the occasion of the International Childhood Cancer Day.
The WHO has also enlisted Nepal in its focus in the global campaign against childhood cancer.
In Nepal, the government has ensured several services for free for the treatment of childhood cancer.
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Gandaki Province Government marking its establishment day
Gandaki, Feb 16: The Gandaki Province Government is marking its establishment day today by organizing various programmes.
On the occasion, Province Chief Prithviman Gurung and Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey have issued separate messages of good wishes and have called for practical implementation of federalism.
In his message, Province Chief Gurung has stated that the constitution has envisioned co-existence, coordination and cooperation among the three layers of government to use their rights and discharge their responsibilities.
He has urged the stakeholders for practical implementation of federalism to materialize the citizens’ urge for development and prosperity.
According to Gurung, people could experience the bliss of democracy only if the federal democratic republic was established as the citizens’ lifestyle, not merely a form of governance.
He has added that the province government was left to do many things to meet the people’s needs and targets.
Likewise, Chief Minister Pandey has said that the Gandaki Province Government was effortful to bring about reform in the lives of people in the province.
He has shared that the province government was effortful to institutionalize good-governance by judiciously sharing the dividends of the democracy to the citizens, internalizing the principles of coordination, coexistence and cooperation.
In his message, the Chief Minister has claimed that the province government has strengthened its policy, legal and institutional aspects since its inception.
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Cath Lab Machines brought in use in Lumbuni Province Hospital
Lumbini, Feb 16: The equipment of Cath Lab which were kept unused for almost one and a half years have now brought in use in Lumbini Province Hospital.
The Medical Superintendent of Hospital, Dr Sudarshan Thapa, said that the Cath Lab services were started by managing the needed human resources for handling the equipment.
The machines worth millions were stored for long in the hospital’s store. The RSS had carried out a news on September 15, 2023 about the storage of such high-end machines worth millions.
With the beginning of the Cath Lab service, the heart patients have obtained accessible and quality health care services, Dr Thapa added.
Currently, a team of cardiologists including Roshan Ghimire and others are providing health care services to the heart patients in the hospital under the leadership of senior cardiologist Arjun Budhathoki.
The hospital has offered angiogram and angioplasty services too, Dr Thapa shared.
Likewise, the Province Health Ministry of Lumbini has allocated Rs 220 million for the operation of Cath Lab.
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Earthquake rattles Bajhang
Kathmandu, Feb 16: An earthquake of local magnitude 4.4 occurred with its epicenter around Parakatne of Thalara Rural Municipality in Bajhang district at 9:32 am this morning, the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre said. The district had also witnessed an earthquake of 4.4 in the Richter scale on January 12.
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Month-long installation art exhibition opens at NAFA
Kathmandu, Feb 16: The ‘Prakriti: Installation Art Exhibition 2024’ has opened in Kathmandu. The month-long art expo is organised by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Architecture and Other Creative Arts (Multidisciplinary Arts) in partnership with the Gallery Mcube.
The exhibition aims to highlight the significance of nature at a time when there conflict between humans and nature. NAFA Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchhali said installation art is the art form that presents various perspectives through the use of multi-mediums. He said the artists have depicted human’s relation with nature in a marvelous way using the natural articles.
Creations of artists Sagar Manandhar, Sushila Singh, Meena Kayastha, Binaya Rimal, Sushant Shree Rajbhandari, among others are on display at the exhibition.
Similarly artworks by NAFA Vice Chancellor Lalkaji Lama, Academy Council Member Sauraganga Darshandhari, of Gallery Mcube Manish Lal Shrestha are included as the guest artists.
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UN Secretary-General’s message to WSF 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 16: The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said the World Social Forum represents an important space to lift up voices, focus on the most vulnerable, restore hope and find innovative solutions for people and planet.
He said this in a message of best wishes he sent to the World Social Forum (WSF) 2024 that commenced here on Thursday. In his message, the UN Secretary-General has conveyed his warm greetings to all gathered in Kathmandu for the four-day event.
“Thank you for coming together in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Uniting for the common good is critical as conflicts rage and geopolitical divisions grow. We need global solidarity to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals – and reform an outdated, dysfunctional and unfair global financial system,” he said.
Stressing on rallying together to address the climate crisis, he said, “As I witnessed during my recent visit in Nepal, countries on the frontline of climate change require far greater support. My Climate Solidarity Pact urges big emitters to make extra efforts to cut emissions and wealthier countries to support emerging economies to do so.”
He called for uniting within communities – with a renewed social contract, based on trust, justice and inclusion, and anchored in human rights. “Women, youth, and marginalized people must have a seat at the decision-making table. A world of peace, dignity and sustainability is not only possible, it is necessary. Let us build it together.”
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EC asks political parties to inform it of any changes to their name, statute
Kathmandu, Feb 16: The Election Commission has directed the political parties to inform it if they have made any changes and amendment to their names, statute, rules, stamp, flag and symbol as well as changes in their office-bearers within 30 days.
The EC, in accordance with Section 51 of Political Parties related Act, 2073, asked the political parties to submit the details in the stipulated format.
It said that the political parties were directed to submit the details in order to stop the trend of not providing information about the changes made in the party since long.
A press release issued by EC Assistant Spokesperson, Dr Thaneshowr Bhusal, stated that the parties were asked to submit the details only after making decision from the party’s general convention or central executive committee, which is in EC’s record, or approved from general convention if possible.
Distribution of party membership, election, nomination and appointment of office-bearers and members including central committee should be as per political party related act, mentioned EC.
Likewise, the EC urged the political parties to make arrangement for their financial transactions through bank, keeping the accounting record in the specified format.
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Ministry cannot slash budget passed by Parliament: FM Mahat
Kathmandu, Feb 16: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said the budget passed by the sovereign parliament could not be reduced.
Organising a press conference at the Ministry today, Finance Minister Mahat refuted the news that the budget of the current fiscal year was cut and made it clear that the Ministry could not slash the budget passed by the parliament. He mentioned that there should not be any confusion among the people, adding the budget was only evaluated mid-term.
Stating that progress of revenue and budget implementation was reviewed, the Finance Minister said revenue collection was increased by 10 per cent as compared to previous fiscal year.
More revenue would be collected and spent as per the rule, he said and added that the income and expenditure was estimated based on revenue collected. The government had allocated Rs 1.751 trillion budget for current fiscal year.
A budget ceiling of Rs 1.8 trillion has been set for coming fiscal year 2024/25, he informed.
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FEB software still not functional
Kathmandu, Feb 16: The software of the Foreign Employment Board has not still become operational. The software the Board uses in providing economic assistance to the workers killed or incapacitated in course of foreign employment and to their families had encountered some problem since some days.
Board spokesperson and information officer Tikaram Dhakal said problems have been faced in carrying out the related works due to problem with the software. “The problem in the software is because of the memory becoming overloaded with the uploaded documents along with the entire data. The technicians are working to fix the problem.The memory is full of data and documents from 15 years,” he said.
According to him, although they are accepting applications offline, they have not been able to make the payments as it is done through the software. He added that the Board has been carrying out emergency works including related to rescue offline by sending letters, even though the software is not working.
The Board states that some problem is seen in its fewims.feb.gov.np software since some days and it will take few more days to operate it.
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Nepal defeated by Malaysia, dream to qualify for Asia cup shatters
Kathmandu, Feb 16: Nepal suffered a four-wicket defeat against Malaysia in semi-final of the ACC Women Premier Cup Cricket. With this defeat, Nepal’s dream to qualify for the Women’s Asia Cup has shattered.
Chasing the target of 116 runs posted by Nepal, Malaysia met the target in 19.5 overs losing six wickets. Elsa Hunter of Malaysia contributed the highest 69 runs for the win. She remained not-out in the match.
For Nepal, Sita Rana Magar and Kabita Joshi of Nepal took two wickets each while Rubina Chhetri and Kabita Kunwar one wicket each. Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss in the match held at Bayuemas Oval Cricket Ground in Malaysia, Nepal made 115 runs in 20 overs losing six wickets. Nepal’s Indu Barma scored 29 runs while Dali Bhatta 25 runs, Sita Rana Magar six runs.
Similarly, Kabita Kunwar made 23 runs while Rubina Chhetri 20 runs for Nepal. Malaysian Mahirah Izzati Ismail took two wickets while Winifred Duraisingam one wicket. Meanwhile, UAE defeated Thailand in another semi-final match by four runs held today itself. With this, Malaysia and UAE have been selected for Asia Cup.
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Minister Acharya stresses on digitalizing disabled ID card
Kathmandu, Feb 16: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen, Surendra Raj Acharya, has stressed the need of digitalizing the disabled identity cards.
In today’s meeting of the Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly, Minister Acharya pointed out the need of distributing identity cards to all disabled persons in a justifiable manner.
He shared, “Discrimination has been seen in distribution of disabled identity card. So it is necessary to digitalize the identity cards to distribute it in a justifiable manner.”
The ministry has been holding discussion on the issue of giving responsibility to three-tier of government in distribution of prosthetic items, mentioned Minister Acharya, adding collaboration and cooperation with inter-ministries was underway for the implementation of resolution proposal approved by the National assembly.
Committee Chairperson Prakash Pantha underscored the need of implementation of the laws, stating that disabled identity cards are found misused. Committee members—Bamdev Gautam, Narayan Prasad Dahal, Kamala Devi Panta, Ramesh Jung Rayamajhi expressed their views.
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Policy reforms needed for development of agriculture sector: President Paudel
Kavrepalanchok, Feb 16: President Ramchandra Paudel has pointed out the need of policy reforms in the agriculture sector, saying alleviation is possible through the development of this sector.
Inaugurating the ‘Extensive Kavrepalanchok Agriculture Festival-2024’ in Banepa today, he stressed on the need for the poly-makers, planners and the government to bring special programmes for increasing the exports and import substitution through production and employment growth.
“I see the need of extensive policy improvement in the agriculture sector as it has the capacity of extricating out the community that is below the poverty line,” the President reiterated.
The Head-of-the-State said the nation’s need after the political change is economic prosperity, development and peace alone. Noting that it is inevitable to make provisions for ensuring ‘Justice to the Underprivileged and Income to the Poor’ and to foster a culture of respecting the labour, he viewed that a economically prosperous Nepal can be built, paving the way for industrialization mainly through the development of agriculture, tourism, water resources and enterprises. “This is also the intent of the federal democratic republic,” the President reminded and underscored on the need of conserving and promoting the technologies, practices and the indigenous crops on the verge of disappearance.
He also emphasised on promotion of agriculture and animal husbandry and transferring the skills, knowledge and technology related to this to the new generation.Referring to Kavrepalanchok as a district that is important in terms of agriculture, dairy and market-oriented agriculture produce, he expressed the belief that the Festival will make a significant contribution to expanding the agricultural enterprises aimed at promoting employment and income generation in the agricultural sector in the context of the citizens of the district getting attracted towards other professions and sectors.
The President also stressed on the need of development of more agriculture products markets like the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market across the country.On the occasion, the President presented the ‘President Outstanding Farmer Award’ to six farmers from Kavrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok.
The four-day-long Festival is jointly organized by the District Coordination Committee, the Banepa Municipality, the Agriculture Development Office, the Livestock Service Office and the Kavrepalanchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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26,707 temporary shelters built for quake survivors in Rukum Paschim
Rukum, Feb 16: Total 26,707 temporary shelters have been built for quake-survivors in Rukum Paschim so far while 5,637 are under-construction.
It may be noted that an earthquake measuring 6.4 in the Richter scale hit Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim on November 3 with Jajarkot as the epicenter.
According to the statistics unveiled by the District Administration Office here today, over Rs 750 million was released to build temporary shelters for quake survivors in Rukum Paschim.
Of the already built shelters, Aathbiskot municipality saw the highest number of temporary shelters at 8,898. Similarly, 5,563 shelters were constructed at Chaujahari municipality, 666 in Musikot municipality and 6,675 in Sanibheri rural municipality.
Likewise, 3,264 shelters were built in Triveni rural municipality and 2,641 in Banfikot rural municipality, it was shared.
The beneficiaries in Chaujahari municipality received over Rs 150 million in grant assistance for shelter building while Aasbiskoth municipality got over Rs 240 million, it was said.
Musikot municipality’s beneficiaries obtained over Rs 30 million while Sanibheri rural municipality’s beneficiaries over Rs 140 million, Triveni rural municipality’s over Rs 100 million and Banfikot rural municipality’s over Rs 60 mullion, informed Prabesh Baduwal, Assistant Chief District Officer in Rukum Paschim.
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RSS urged to expand services
Kathmandu, Feb 16: Media scholars and experts have viewed the role of news agency was growing more in the wake of evolving media landscape.
They made such observation during a programme organized Friday on the occasion of 63rd anniversary of . The speakers also urged RSS to expand services in view of the changed media scenario. Balance and credibility must be integral to news, they stressed.
RSS’ role is growing more at a time when it has been difficult to differentiate between information and news.
At the interaction organized by RSS Employees’ Union, media Professor Ramkrishna Regmi suggested that RSS prioritized investigative news in addition to reporting on activities of three tiers of government, while professionalism must be in focus.
Also the former chief reporter with RSS, Regmi reminded the verification of news and social responsibility of media. There is a global standard of news agency journalism, he informed.
Former chair of FNJ Mahendra Bista wondered if RSS opted for providing information on State for free of cost to its subscribers. RSS could even bring forth investigate stories, he suggested.
Former chair of Sancharika Samuha Nirmala Sharma opined that RSS could pay heed to issues of marginalized community.
On the occasion, RSS’ Executive Chair Dharmendra Jha shared that he was aware that diversity should be reflected in RSS service. Although the subscription fee is negligible compared to foreign news agencies, RSS could mull how it can address distribution of news for free of cost.
General Managar Siddha Raj Rai also informed that efforts were underway to make RSS service inclusive.
Chief Editor Yekraj Pathak insisted that RSS’ relevance was growing with the increase in number of media. However, it is challenging for RSS to deliver news as per their demand and expectations, he mentioned.
Moreover, chair of public corporation employee’s organization Nepal Indu Acharya believed RSS would retain its image of authentic media of the country.
Deputy General Manager Shyam Prasad Rimal pointed out the need of honing RSS skills and image because news agencies were emerging even in private sector of late.
Senior reporter Prakash Silwal and Union chair Kalika Khadka viewed they would pay attention to the suggestions received at the programme so that RSS’ relevance would grow further.
The RSS is holding its anniversary main celebration function on Fagun 7, coming Monday.
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Nepal deserves climate justice, as it has zilch role on climate crisis: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 16: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ asserted that Nepal deserves climate justice, as its role on climate crisis is zilch compared to other countries.
“Nepal contributes almost nothing to global carbon emission, but is bearing the brunt of direct, disproportionate and hazardous effects of climate change,” he reminded.
Addressing a conference on the climate change and role of parliamentarians in sustainable development here Friday, PM Dahal said that climate change is a huge challenge for maintaining socio-economic and environmental balance. According to him, climate crisis is emerging as the global threat, adversely impacting the prospects of development while the least developed countries are the most vulnerable.
“Our citizens have been badly affected by climate change induced disasters, such as landslide, flood, fires, avalanches and droughts,” the PM said, adding, “The citizens of countries at risk of such disasters are in dire need of economic and technical assistance and the international community should pay heed to it.”
Dahal viewed that a huge financial and technical lapses were seen in climate change reduction efforts and thus called for gathering more resources to effectively implement climate actions. He underlined implementation of plans which are compatible at local level for climate adaptation.
The Head of the Government held the view that there was a need for the parliamentarians and policy makers all over the world to hold talks to enhance advocacy on climate justice and to secure a sustainable future for eco-system, human and earth.
Emphasizing enforcement of operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund, the PM urged, “I would like to stress on implementing the Green Climate Fund to fulfill the USD 100 billion climate finance commitment, to give impetus to climate actions and to simplify the access procedures for the LDCs to the Green Climate Fund.”
During his address, he also reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to securing clean energy and to maintain the 45 per cent forest coverage in Nepal. “Nepal is fully committed to the Paris Agreement. We are committed to achieving zero green house gas emission by 2045.”
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Postage stamps printed within country after 64 years
Kathmandu, Feb 16: The government has been able to print postage stamps within country after 64 years.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, affixed the first day cancellation mark on 11 types of postage stamps. The stamps were printed at Janak Education Materials Centre.
The Department of Postal Service published the postage stamps bearing the images of martyr Rambriksha Yadav, leftist leader Sahana Pradhan, literary figure Netra Lal Paudel, democratic fighter Kami Budha, Shreebala Tripurasundari Devi Temple, five medicinal herbs including ‘marethi’, and silver jubilee of Nai Publication.
Department’s Director General Pradip Adhikari informed that it printed 8 million copies of postage stamps showing national figures, medicinal herbs and religious shrines. Earlier, the postage stamps were printed in various countries as India, Indonesia and Latvia.
Minister Sharma observed that stamps would contribute to inform present generation about the significant people, places and things of the country.
Similarly, former minister Dinanath Sharma observed that government had done well by printing the postal stamps on the people playing significant roles in various political movements for the change in country.
Former minister Ram Kumari Jhankri viewed the present generation could learn from the contribution made by the previous generation to ensure federal republic in Nepal.
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NC central committee passes documents to be presented at mahasamti meeting
Kathmandu, Feb 16: The central committee meeting of Nepali Congress has passed various documents to be presented in the upcoming mahasamiti meeting. The mahasamiti meeting is being held in the federal capital from February 19 to 22.
In the central committee meeting, party Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka presented a policy proposal, while General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa an organizational proposal, General Secretary Bishwo Prakash Sharma a contemporary political proposal, spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat a report on economic status, potential and future course, and account committee coordinator Shyam Kumar Ghimie an audit report.
The central committee meeting held on February 15 and 16 discussed all these proposals and incorporated the suggestions. These documents are passed with revision so that they would be presented in the mahasamiti meeting, according to chief secretary at NC party office, Krishna Prasad Poudel.
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