- Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud held a meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday.
The meeting was held in course of Foreign Minister Saud’s participation in the ninth edition of Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference, in India.
Taking to social media, X, Indian Minister of External Affairs, Jaishankar, stated, “The presence of India’s neighbors at Raisina Dialogue-2024 is natural. Warmly welcomed FM @NPSaudnc to the event.”
He expressed happiness to note Minister Saud’s active participation in the Raisina programs. “Our conversation reaffirmed the positive trajectory of our ties,” Jaishankar added.
Minister Saud who had left here for India on February 21 addressed the conference on Friday, according to Foreign Ministry. He is scheduled to hold high level meetings with dignitaries participating in the multilateral event.
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Thorough study essential before deciding on new airport: Minister Kirati
Dharan, Feb 24: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has said it was impossible to construct airport in Dharan without conducting a thorough study.
Inaugurating the Dharan Expo, 2024 organized by Sunsari Chamber of Commerce and Industry here Friday, Minister Kirati reminded that 22 airports were left unused in the country for their establishment without study. Such hasty decision can not be taken in case of Dharan as well, he made aware.
The Minister however informed that feasibility study was being conducted. “Only possibility of conducting flights is not a solid basis to construct and operate airport,” Minister Kirati informed the participants attending the event.
The Expo was organized to promote local produce, culture and tourism. Minister Kirati opined that Dharan alone could not move ahead for holistic development. Dharan could forward its activities in view of other religious and tourism sites in Chatara, Barahachhetra, Dhankuta, Tehrathum and Taplejung. Even the togetherness with stakeholders is key, he stressed.
On the occasion, former chairman of FNCCI, Chandi Raj Dhakal, sought support from government to elevate the status of private sector because it was difficult time for business in recent period.
Organizer of the Expo, Bijay Shrestha, informed that event was held to promote export and internal supply of handicrafts and local productions. There are 150 stalls in the exhibition that lasts till March 6.
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28,000 plus shelters set up for Jajarkot quake survivors
Rukum Paschim, Feb 24: In the last four months since the Jajarkot earthquake, as many as 28,034 temporary houses have been set up for the quake survivors.
An earthquake had jolted Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim districts on November 3. The construction of temporary houses has been continued for the accommodation of survivors, for their houses were damaged in the quake.
Assistant Chief District Officer in Rukum Paschim, Prabesh Badhuwal, informed that it would take time to construct temporary houses for all survivors who lost their houses in the disaster. In the district, a total of 31,962 households were identified as beneficiaries. A total of 7,912 temporary houses are under construction now.
Similarly, 3,928 shelters are still awaited.
So far, Athbiskot municipality got highest 8,933 houses while Musikot municipality got 708. Similarly, Chaurajahari municipality set up 6,100 shelters, Sanobheri 5,721, Triveni rural municipality 3,494, Banfikot rural municipality 2,993.
Similarly, district disaster management fund has released Rs 799 million to the local disaster reduction fund for the identified beneficiaries. Each household identified as beneficiary will get Rs 25,000.
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Nagma-Gamgadhi road resumes after removal of obstruction
Mugu, Feb 24: The Nagma-Gamgadhi section of the Karnali Highway resumed after removal of obstruction on Friday. The snowfall had blocked the road at Bulbule, Siptichaur and Satmod Ghuchhilekh for two days.
A team of Road Division Office, Jumla used an excavator and road labours to remove the snow for two days- Thursday and Friday, according to road supervisor Jaggi BK. It ensured resumption of road on Friday evening.
With the heavy equipment and necessary human resources made available in the concerned area, road blockade is cleared on time these days.
The Karnali Highway is one of the busiest routes in Nepal because numerous tourists- domestic and foreign- visit the Rara Lake through it. It is the largest and deepest lake of Nepal.
BK informed that the Nagma-Gamgadhi road stretches in 93 kilometer.
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Infant missing from hospital found at Kandaghari
Kathmandu, Feb 24: An infant who was gone missing from the Paropakar Maternity Home, Thapathali, has been found at Kandaghari.
Spokesperson at District Police Premises, Kathmandu, SP Nawaraj Adhikari, informed that the infant (female) lost from the hospital on Friday afternoon was found by the police at Kandaghari, Bhaktapur on Friday night itself.
“The infant was stolen by a woman. The woman has been arrested,” SP Adhikari added.
The 26-day-old infant belonged to 22-year-old mother Sabina Shrestha, originally from Chauri Deurali rural municipality-3 of Kavrepalanchowk. Shrestha, who was staying in Kapan, Kathmandu, had informed police verbally about her daughter gone missing from the hospital.
The police intensified the search immediately after they got information about the infant’s sudden disappearance.
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Discrimination prevails even in parliament: Lawmaker Bina Lama
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Parliament is for lawmaking. But, the lawmakers are confined to ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the process of lawmaking. Most of them are unaware how bills are drafted and who draft these. I do not find any more role of lawmakers than saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in forwarding bills and making laws.
It is what I realized as I entered the parliament as a lawmaker and attended the parliament and committee meetings. The drafts of the bills are prepared to suit ruling parties and government or the special group and individuals.
Not only parliament but also the voices of lawmakers go unheard. The complaints about problems facing people are unaddressed. The government’s responses to the issues surfaced during zero hour, special hour and urgent hour are not satisfactory.
There is poor accountability. It is worrying in deed that government remains mute when a lawmaker shows concern over problems in his/her constituency and of entire country.
The previous session of the House of Representatives was disrupted most of the time, thereby obstructing passage of several bills. The opposition continued obstructing parliament.
If the ruling parties deny the response to the queries by lawmakers, how can parliament function well? Even the opposition parties need to be constructive and creative. Constant protest is unwarranted.
The government failed to furnish convincing response on how investigations were going on in various corruption scandals plaguing the governance and system.
It is equally disappointing that big parties and top leaders are heard in parliament, while voices of small parties and new lawmakers are ignored. I have experienced it. It is more pronounced in case of women lawmakers like me.
The patriarchal mindset is entrenched even in parliament, which is contradictory because agenda of inclusion and equality are surfaced on the other hand.
I felt the discrimination in terms of religious faith, gender, ethnicity and age in the initial days of parliament. Belittling of certain groups as- ‘are these also lawmakers?’ could be seen and realized.
The discrimination against first timers is further alarming- the old ones quickly denigrate the new ones and youths. However, such mistreatment is declining gradually.
Moreover, parliamentary committees were formed with much delay. Although the meetings were convened under the leadership of senior most members, the effectiveness lacked utterly. The committees however have gained pace lately.
I am a member of the Infrastructure Development Committee and various subcommittees are formed under it. Regular discussions are going on with concerned ministry and bodies. The field monitoring of the infrastructure projects is also going on.
The Committee has been monitoring the parliament building, Gwarko flyover, expansion of ring road in Kathmandu Valley, and construction of Mid-Hill Highway in Koshi Province, among others. I think the frequent change in government is one of major causes of protracted construction of infrastructures in the country.
The lawmaking should not be replicated but based on national context and need. Copy and pasting foreign laws can cause serious problems, including non-implementation.
(Lama is the lawmaker of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) elected under the proportional quota. She is parliamentary party whip of RPP.
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National Assembly chair calls on Vice President
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Chairperson of National Assembly, Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, paid a courtesy call on Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav at the Vice President’s office in Lainchaur.
In the meeting that took place this morning, various contemporary issues including the tenure of Chair Timilsina were discussed. The Vice President thanked Timilsina for the important role he played during his tenure and wished him happiness, long life and good health ahead, said the Office of the Vice-President.
Chair Timilisina’s tenure is coming to an end on March 3.
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Projects of less than Rs 30 million to province and local level: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Prime Minister and Parliamentary Party leader of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the federal government would not handle projects worth less than Rs 30 million.
During the CPN (Maoist Centre) parliamentary party meeting held at Singha Durbar this morning, he shared that emphasis has been laid on fiscal handover to strengthen federalism. “The federation will keep projects with strategic importance. Province and local levels will run projects that are worth less than Rs 30 million. Furthermore, authority of project selection will be given to provinces and local levels”, mentioned PM Dahal.
He stressed that the trend of accumulating budget on different headings that cannot be spent while lacking budget for essential projects should be stopped, adding the government would take possible measures to complete the under-construction projects.
Prime Minister Dahal added he has already received a report related to Balkumari incident and is studying it. “Necessary decision will be taken after studying the report of Balkumari incident. The government decided to carryout investigation after forming a commission. The report is in process of study. It is under the jurisdiction of the government. The opposition should follow a political culture,” he underlined.
Also on the occasion, PM Dahal urged the lawmakers to help pass the bills as the government would table bills in the parliament after the next cabinet meeting.
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PM Dahal inaugurates suspension bridge in Dhanusa
Dhanusha, Feb 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has inaugurated a suspension bridge built over the Kamala river.
The Kathal-Malhania suspension bridge connects Malhania in Siraha Municipality-13 to Kathal of Janakandini Rural Municipality-6. The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs. 288.5 million with a load bearing capacity of 540 metric tons.
Meanwhile, the local administration has requested all the users not to drive the heavy loaded vehicle including tempo at high speed and drag bicycles and motorcycles to cross the river.
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KMC to take strict against plastic bouquet, flower users
Kathmandu, Feb 24: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has warned to take strict action against those using plastic bouquet and flowers.
The KMC has imposed prohibition in the production, sales, distribution, storage and use of plastic bouquet and flowers as well as plastic bags with thickness below 40 micron since July 17 last year.
The warning was issued by the KMC in the wake of complaints pouring in that party palaces were still discreetly using plastic bouquets and flowers. The KMC would be making surprise visits to such party palaces and if found non-compliance with the new rule, it will take action, said Rajunath Pandey, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) at the Metropolitan Police Force.
“It is our responsibility to implement the legal framework put in place by the KMC for urban management and hygiene and environmental improvement. We have been closely monitoring the areas to be inspected,” asserted SSP Pandey.
Urging one and all to cooperate with the KMC in this process, he cautioned to bring the offenders to book.
Meanwhile, the KMC has begun making compost manure from the bio-degradable wastages collected from the households in the Metropolitan. At present, the segregated household wastages have been collected from ward no 27 of the Metropolis. It would be later expanded to all 32 wards, said KMC.
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Kunwar wins Run for Unity-2080 half marathon
Karnali, Feb 24: Dal Bahadur Kunwar of Tatopani rural municipality-7 in Jumla district has won the title of half-marathon (21 kilometers) of Run for Unity-2080 championship.
Kunwar completed the 21-kilometer distance in 1 hour 8 minutes. The marathon was organised by North-West Division of the Nepali Army at Surkhet of Birendranagar today,
Similarly, Santosh Yogi of Raskot municipality-3 in Kalikot district and Ashish Gurung of Nepali Army secured second and third position respectively. Yogi completed the distance in 1 hour 23 minutes while Gurung did so in 1 hour 32 minutes.
Chief of Karnali Province, Tilak Pariyar, presented cash prize and certificates to the winners. The first prize carried a purse of Rs 35,000, second prize Rs 25,000 and third prize Rs 15,000.
Likewise, in the 10 km race, Dhir Bahadur Budha, Sanjeev Nepali and Akkal Baduwal stood first, second and third respectively under men’s category. Budha received Rs 20,000 and certificate, Nepali Rs 10,000 and certificate and Baduwal Rs 5,000 and certificate.
Asha Rawat of Surkhet secured first position in 10-kilometer race under women category while Samita Budha of Jumla and Rajya Laxmi Rawal of Jumla secured second and third positions respectively. The first winner got Rs 20,000 and certificate, second winner Rs 10,000 and certificate and third winner Rs 5,000 and certificate.
In five-kilometer race for boys, Ajay BK, Dipendra Bohora and Sujan BK stood first, second and third respectively. The first prize carries a purse of Rs 10,000, second prize Rs 5,000 and third prize Rs 3,000.
Similarly, Kalpana Budha of Jumla won the title of five-kilometer race under girl’s category. Bimala Karki and Urmila Khanal of Surkhet secured second and third position respectively. Budha received Rs 10,000, Karki Rs 5,000 and Khanal Rs 3,000 respectively.
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Country cannot develop without development of Madhesh: Prime Minister
Dhanusha, Feb 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the country will not develop without the development of Madhes. He also pledged to continue to work for the development of the Madhes region.
Addressing a program organised following the inauguration of Kathal-Malhania Suspension Bridge here today, he assured that the government will work to expand irrigation in the Tarai to help increase productivity. “Special attention is being given to the implementation of federalism. The Provincial Police Act, Education Act and Employees Act will be implemented within a few days,” he said.
Mentioning the importance of suspension bridge as per the topography of Nepal, Prime Minister Dahal said that priority is being given to the construction of suspension pools in different parts of the country.
Stating that the bridge would provide relief to the people of Dhanusha and Siraha, he expressed confidence that it will help in the promotion of tourism in the two districts. The Prime Minister also pledged to help the construction of embankment along the Kamala River.
The Kathal-Malhania suspension bridge connects Malhania in Siraha Municipality-13 to Kathal of Janakandini Rural Municipality-6. The 1,544 meters long bridge was built at a cost of around Rs. 288.5 million with a load bearing capacity of 540 metric tons.
Meanwhile, the local administration has requested all the users not to drive the heavy loaded vehicle including tempo at high speed and drag bicycles and motorcycles to cross the river.
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Woman smuggling newborn from Maternity Hospital made public
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Police today made public a woman who stole a newborn from Paropakar Maternity Hospital in Kathmandu last Friday.
Man Kumari, 24, of Naumule rural municipality-1 in Dailekh district and currently residing at Kadaghari in Kathmandu was nabbed by a team of police deployed from Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office from her rented room the same night.
The rescued infant has been handed over to the rightful family and currently undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Medical College at Sinamangal in Kathmandu, according to SP Nawaraj Adhikari at the District Police Range, Kathmandu.
Further investigation into the case is underway, said SP Adhikari. Sabina Shrestha, 22, from Chauri Deurali rural municipality-3 and currently staying at Kapan in Kathmandu had complained to police regarding missing of her 26-day-old infant.
Police acting on the complaint had searched for the missing infant and found it being stolen by accused Man Kumari.
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Special arrangement for Madhes in coming budget: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said special arrangement would be made for the Madhes in coming fiscal year’s policy and programme and budget.
Laying the foundation stone for a bridge connecting Sabaila municipality-4 of Dhanusha to Kalyanpur municipality-5 of Siraha today, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the commitment to promoting agriculture technology, irrigation facility, chemical fertilizer and seeds in Tarai. He also shared that the incumbent government was working seriously to make the country self-dependent on food grains, according to the PM Dahal’s Secretariat.
Stating that the government has been paying attention in construction of large-scale projects to make quality changes in country’s economy, the Prime Minister underlined that activities related to construction of ‘game changer’ projects like Budhigandaki and Karnali Chisapani would be forwarded as soon as possible.
“Development of country is not possible without development of Madhes. There is no possibility of country’s prosperity until people of Madhes become prosperous”, he stressed.
Expressing the belief that the construction of the bridge would be important for Siraha and Dhanusha, the PM expressed the commitment to help improve the living standard of the people of this area.
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Concerns over fake information hurting political achievements
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Stakeholders expressed their concerns that political achievements were being continuously attacked through fake information lately.
At an interaction prgramme organized by the Centre for Media Research Nepal here today on ‘Disinformation in Nepal and Democracy’, they said that based on the fake information attempts were being made to establish a wrong narrative in the social media.
Former Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel, presenting a paper on ‘Role of political parties in control of disinformation’, stated that democracy and democratic leadership was continuously being attacked through fake information.
Stating that political parties had an important role in controlling disinformation, he suggested the political parties to enhance the digital knowledge of the leaders and cadres. He also emphasized issuance of code of conduct for social media and use social media in compliance of the code of conduct.
The former Chief Election Commissioner alerted towards the possibility of some forces trying to capitalize on the despair of the people and the situation where the major pillars of the democracy were weak by instigating people and launching an attack on democracy.
According to him, some forces were also attempting to establish a narrative that the democracy cannot deliver result.
Drawing the attention of the political parties, he urged them to rise above their partisan interest and deliver in the interest of the country.
Similarly, Nepali Congress leader Gagan Kumar Thapa suggested that none should rely on fake news doing the rounds in social media and spoke of the need to build awareness about the sensitivity of fake news at school level.
He argued that school, community and families should be more responsible regarding what kind of information to be accepted and what to be boycotted.
Likewise, CPN (UML) Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Poudel observed that the social media should aid to development of democracy and underlined the need for close cooperation among the stakeholders for the same. “Fake information has created many problems. We all should be ready to tackle the challenges brought by social networking sites.”
CPN (Maoist Centre) Vice-Chairperson Agni Prasad Sapkota said that political parties, media and social activists have an important role in stopping the spread of fake information. “The whole society should stand united against the fake information. If we do not control it on time, democracy may slip through our hands.”
Parliamentarians representing various political parties univocally admitted that the fake information had adversely affected the entire society and thus said that we all should be united against it.
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Dr Rai comes with five literary pieces simultaneously
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Five literary creations by Dr Puran Rai have been released simultaneously. The pieces were launched in the presence of Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, amidst a function here on Saturday.
The Minister released ‘Astu,’ a collection of stories by Rai. In addition, Rai’s diverse literary works were also introduced during the event. These include ‘Darka Bimbaharu,’ a daily chronicle written during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fictional piece ‘Basanta Ritu,’ the drama ‘Laasmathiko Manabta,’ and an analytical work titled ‘Alankar Bidhan in Aprabasi Nepali Kabita.’
At the function, Minister Kirati urged all literary figures to inculcate their talents for the promotion of socialism through the means of writing. Siddharaj Rai, the General Manager of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, expressed that the release of five books spanning various genres reflects the multi-faceted talents of Dr Rai.
Dr. Rai said this marks his initial venture into fiction and drama, and urged the readers and critics to render critical feedbacks.
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PM Dahal calls for promoting national unity through integration of diversities
Sarlahi, Feb 24: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said Nepal is profoundly rich in diversities.
In his address to an educational and cultural presentation programme organised at Karmaiya of Sarlahi on Saturday, he underlined the need of integrating these diversities, advocating for promoting national unity through the recognition of all castes, communities, and languages.
He said, “Enhancement of national unity is possible only through due recognition of all castes, communities and languages.” On the occasion, the Prime Minister launched a book focusing on the improvement of public education system.
Over 4,000 students from the public schools joined the event organised by the Bagmati municipality in Sarlahi. It is said the programme aimed to improve public schools through community efforts and engagement. On the occasion, students delivered their cultural performances reflecting cultural and territorial diversities of seven provinces.
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‘Religious, cultural diversities have kept Nepali unity intact’
Bahrabise (Sindhupalchowk), Feb 24: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet said various religions and cultures have kept Nepali unity intact.
At a 2860th Duk Sonam Lhosar programme organized by Bahrabise municipality along with other oragnizations and at Bahrabise-3, Khorasnibari on Saturday, Minister Basnet said, “Diverse religions and cultures have integrated us in a mutual way”.
The Minister pledged to allocate necessary budget for the development of the district as the people’s representative of its constituency. “I would put my all-out efforts to integrate necessary plans to the upcoming fiscal year budget for the development of all wards of the district”.
Basnet shared that he has allocated free of cost 10 percent general beds for the poor and disadvantaged at the private, government and community hospitals upon assuming the ministerial post.
Also speaking on the occasion, Bagmati province assembly member Krishna Kumar Tamang said such programme would enhance goodwill and fraternity in society.
Likewise, Assistant General Secretary of the Nepali Congress Bagmati province Harisharan Shrestha highlighted the need of due representation of Tamang and Sherpa community at higher level of the state.
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Free internet in 34 airports within six months
Kathmandu, Feb 24: The Nepal Telecom is set to provide free Wi-Fi internet service in 34 airports within six months.
An agreement to this effect was signed between the Nepal Telecom and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), informed CAAN spokesperson and deputy director-general Jagannath Niraula.
He said, “An agreement has been signed between the Nepal Telecom and CAAN to provide free Wi-Fi internet service in 34 airports. Free internet service installation will be completed in all airports within next six months”.
Nepal Telecom’s chief commercial officer Binita Shrestha and CAAN spokesperson Niraula signed the agreement, the CAAN sources said.
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Leader Nepal calls for integrating moral values in education system
Kathmandu, Feb 24: Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, has stressed that Nepal’s education system should be vocational, skill-based and capable of promoting moral values in the society and producing globally competent graduates.
In his address to a school programme here on Saturday, Nepal, also the former Prime Minister, echoed the need of an improvement in the country’s existing educational system. He proposed integration of moral and vocational values in the education system.
Leader Nepal called for shared responsibility for the improvement of education sector, stating that it should not be confined to the jurisdiction of provinces and local governments. Instead, the entire government should be actively involved in enhancing the education system, Nepal suggested.
He urged the three-tier governments to act responsibly to implement citizens’ fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution. “Moral education and innovations will help producing competent human resources. The transformation of society is possible through education. Besides the roles of curriculum, schools and classroom, the responsibility on the part of guardians is necessary for quality education,’ the leader said.
On the occasion, culture expert Dr Jagman Gurung was honoured.
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Cardamom price hike pleases producers in Taplejung
Taplejung, Feb 24: The farmers in the district of Taplejung are elated with the increased price and good market for cardamom, which is commonly known as ‘black gold’ here. The price of cardamom has increased by more than two-fold compared to the last year, which is the all-time high in the past five years, locals said.
The farmers said that the price of cardamom reached upto Rs 80,000 this year as it was sold at Rs 26,000 to Rs 32,000 per 40 kilograms in the local market.
Chairman of Cardamom Entrepreneurs Association, Taplejung, Bhadra Bir Regmi shared that most of the farmers sold cardamom at Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 per 40 kilograms this season. “It was sold at Rs 60,000 in the early days. And, the price hit Rs 80,000 two weeks ago. Now, per 40 kg cardamom is being sold at Rs 79,000,” he shared.
Cardamom entrepreneur Dinesh Adhikari of Phungling Municipality-5 said that the price of cardamom soared this year due to its high demand in the international market. “Price of Nepali cardamom increased due to high demand in the international market and limited production in India in the recent time,” Adhikari argued.
According to Adhikari, more than 80 per cent of the farmers sold out their productions here and they are truly elated from the good price. Cardamom is grown in some 4,500 hectares of land in Taplejung and around 2,500 metric tonnes is produced each year, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Taplejung said.
With the good price, the farmers, who are enthusiastic about cardamom cultivation as an important cash crop, are happy as a result of higher rate in the market. Around 60 wards in the district grow cardamom. Cardamom production in Taplejung has increased due to favorable weather and low incidence of diseases. The farmers in the district have been attracted to cardamom cultivation as they make a decent earning even by giving a little time for cardamom.
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Bhaktapur to organize photo exhibition showing life of 80 yrs ago
Bhaktapur, Feb 24: A photo exhibition is to be held in Bhaktapur to show the historical, archeological heritages, jatra, festivals, cultural and other heritages of 80 years ago of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Kavre districts.
The Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee is going to organize the First Three-Generation Brilliant Bhaktapur Photo Exhibition-2080. Committee’s Chairman Dipeshraj Sharma said that the photo exhibition shall have the photos taken at different times by the first photographer of Bhaktapur late Badri Prasad Banepali, his son Kedar and grandchildren Kisan and Suni.
The photo exhibition shall have photos taken 80 years to 30 years by the three generations of Banepali family. The exhibition is scheduled to be held on March 1 and 2 at Bhaktapur Durbar Area and a total of 68 photos will be kept in the exhibition.
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Community lacks sufficient information on health insurance, Speaker says
Kathmandu: The Speaker of House of Representatives (HoR) Dev Raj Ghimire has said that sufficient information on health insurance was not disseminated to the political parties, people’s representatives and the citizens.
At a programme on “State of Cancer Disease in Nepal and Role of People’s Representatives” organized by the National Assembly’s State’s Concerns and Coordination Committee on Saturday, the Speaker said that the people’s representatives were not well informed on mobilizing the health insurance programme in a right manner.
He added that sufficient information was needed to the representatives of all three layers of government about the effective implementation of the health insurance scheme.
Committee’s Chair Dil Kumari Rawal said that effective implementation of the health insurance was needed and the school level textbooks should include information about cancer like diseases.
Rawal added that vaccination campaign against uterus cancer should be run among girls.
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Lumbini Province Assembly member Yadav expelled
Tulsipur, Feb 24: Lumbini Province Assembly member Janaki Prasad Yadav has been expelled from his parliamentary portfolio.
Yadav was automatically suspended after the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a graft case against him at the special court, the Lumbini Province Assembly secretariat said.
Issuing a public notice, Province Assembly secretary Durlav Kumar Pun shared Yadav has been automatically suspended from his position as per the legal arrangement until clearance of the graft case against him.
The graft case was registered against Yadav at the special court on last February 20 for misappropriating the public asset (forest and timber products). Yadav was elected the Province Assembly member from Kapilvastu constituency 3(2). Elected from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, he was earlier the Minister for industry, Tourism and Transport Management.
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Govt committed to social justice: DPM Shrestha
Rajbiraj, Feb 24: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that the present government was committed to ensuring good-governance, building a prosperous Nepal and providing social justice.
Inaugurating a newly-built building of Khadak Multiple Campus and distributing land ownership certificate to the landless squatters in Khadak Municipality in Saptari district on Saturday, the DPM said the tasks of development and prosperity should be expedited further in the country.
He was of the view that there have been positive changes in people’s lives after the establishment of the republic in the country adding that bringing about changes in people’s socioeconomic lives was the key responsibility of the time.
Shrestha shared that complete uproot of corruption was needed to maintain good-governance. Likewise, the Home Minister said that the government was committed to providing justice to the usury victims. “The issues of usury victims will be resolved. For this, we have made laws. We are working after forming the commission as well. All the victims shall get justice,” DPM Shrestha assured.
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Nepalis killed in Russia-Ukraine war commemorated
Kathmandu, Feb 24: A lamp-lighting ceremony took place at the Pashupat area on Saturday evening to commemorate the Nepali citizens who lost their lives in the Russia-Ukraine war while serving the Russian military service.
Human rights activists, representatives from various political parties, religious leaders, and the grieving families came together for the event organized by the “Awareness Campaign for Victims’ Families and for the Life Safety of Citizens.”
During the event, Campaign coordinator Kritu Bhandari expressed deep concern over the Nepali citizens becoming prey to a war unrelated to Nepal and called for a serious assessment to address the situation. Bhandari also urged the government to prioritize the identification of those killed in the war and the rescue of Nepali individuals who joined the Russian army, despite the government’s disapproval.
The campaign advocates for the prompt rescue of Nepalis enrolled in the Russian army, the repatriation of bodies of those killed in the war, the search for individuals who have been out of contact for months, ensuring the safe return of those who have made contact, adopting a neutral stance in alignment with the country’s non-alignment policy, and providing proper compensation to the bereaved families. The campaign has garnered attention from the Russian Embassy in Kathmandu, the United Nations, and various political parties.
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