- Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Jhapa, March 31: Six people have lost their lives in elephant attacks over the past five months in Jhapa. The victims were individuals who were either collecting fodder, on morning walks, or were asleep at home when the incidents occurred.
Meghraj Rai, the Chief of the Division Forest Office in Jhapa, said that two more fatalities resulted from wild elephant attacks just this week. The latest victims are identified as Khadgamaya Mabo, 58, from Kamal Rural Municipality-5, and Pabitra Bhetuwal, 60, from Shibasatakshi-11. These recent incidents have left the local community in a state of fear and unease.
Ruma Subba, a resident of Kamal Rural Municipality-5, said they constantly live in fear of potential wild animal attacks in the aftermath of the incident in the locality.
All 15 localities within the district are deemed vulnerable to elephant encounters. The fatalities over the past five months include one in Damak Municipality, two in Shibasatakshi, two in Haldibari, and one in Kamal Rural Municipality.
The tuskers have unleashed terror in the neighboring districts of Morang and Sunsari as well. It is said that a herd of 29 wild elephants entered Nepal from India through the Bahunadangi point and is yet to move back. The Division Forest Office estimates that there are over 60 wild elephants spread across Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts.
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Church Boy’s United lifts trophy of Itahari Gold Cup
Dharan, March 31: The Church Boy’s United of Kathmandu won the trophy of the 14th Itahari Gold Cup by defeating the Tribhuvan Army Club in the final match held last night under lights at the Itahari Stadium. The Church Boy’s United stunned the departmental Army Club by 1-0. Church Boy’s United was the runner-up in the 13th edition of the Itahari Gold Cup.
Winning the trophy, the team Church Boy’s United got Rs 1 million while runner-up Army Club got Rs 500,000.
Rajesh Pariyar of the Church Boy’s United made a decisive goal for making the team victorious. Pariyar scored the goal in the initial 4th minute of the game. Pariyar was declared the Man of the Match and won a cash prize of 10,000 rupees.
Prabesh Danuwar of Rastriya Jagriti Club was named the Best Player of the Tournament, to win the cash prize of 100,000 rupees.
Army Club’s Jitendra Karki was declared the best defender, Dip Karki of Church Boy’s United got the title of the best goalkeeper, Army Club’s Nabayug Shrestha as the best forward player, Surajjyu Thakuri of Church Boy’s United as the best midfielder and Darshan Bhaktaraj of Church Boy’s United was named the best coach. They all got 20,000 each.
Social Development Minister of Koshi Province Rajendra Karki, Mayor of Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City Hem Karna Poudel, and other officials gave away the prizes to the winners.
A total of nine teams including one from India took part in the tournament that kicked off on March 23.
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Ilam Literature Festival ends
Ilam, March 31: The two-day-long Ilam Literature Festival ended on Saturday by witnessing different activities on academic, literary, and other discourses.
The organizer said that interactions on tourism, literature, economics, politics, and other areas were held in 18 sessions
The event was organized by Ilam Municipality to promote tourism in the eastern district.
On Saturday, politicians CK Raut, Pradip Gyawali, and Bishow Prakash Sharma discussed the political issues in the final session of the festival.
Likewise, discussions on conservation and eco-tourism, mother language, cinema, and others were also discussed by the experts.
Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai delivered the keynote speech on Friday.
More than 200 litterateurs, ideologists, writers, politicians, and artists from Nepal and India attended the festival.
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Landslide disrupts Bensisahar-Chame road
Lamjung, March 31: A landslide occurred at Shreechaur of Marsyangdhi Rural Municipality-4 in Lamjung district has disrupted vehicular movement along the Bensisahar-Chame road section. This is the only road connecting the districts of Lamjung and Manang.
The Shreechaur area has witnessed the landslide following the rain that occurred on Saturday evening.
Information Officer of the District Police Office, Lamjung, Thaneshwor Chapai said that the passengers have suffered as the vehicles have remained off the road due to the landslide.
He shared that efforts are ongoing to clear the obstructions.
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Pre-event seminar on Investment Summit organized in Bangladesh
Kathmandu, March 31: The Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka organized a pre-event seminar on the Third Nepal Investment Summit 2024 on Saturday.
On the occasion, Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari urged Bangladeshi investors to explore investment opportunities in key sectors such as hydropower, infrastructure, hotel and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and information and communication technology, among others, and highlighted the strategic advantages of investing in Nepal, the Embassy stated in a press release.
State Minister of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh Nasrul Hamid attended the seminar. He emphasized the substantial investment potential in Nepal and expressed Bangladesh’s desire to further strengthen investment linkages with Nepal.
The State Minister stressed the opportunities for energy cooperation while highlighting Nepal’s huge hydropower potential and Bangladesh’s growing energy demands, according to the Embassy.
Likewise, Chief Executive Officer of Investment Board Nepal Sushil Bhatta said the upcoming Summit will bring together potential global investors, policymakers, experts, and development finance institutions to help them explore investment opportunities in Nepal and build partnerships with the local business leaders.
Joint Secretary of Investment Board Nepal Babu Raj Adhikari made a presentation providing comprehensive updates on the upcoming Summit.
Likewise, video messages from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ and Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun were also presented at the event.
The seminar was held to provide insights into and shed light on the expectations from the Investment Summit scheduled to be held in Kathmandu later this month.
More than 80 participants including Members of the Parliament of Bangladesh, high-ranking government officials, think tanks, eminent business leaders, and media persons, among others attended the seminar, the Embassy shared.
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Local levels made aware on youth empowerment through TVET
Kathmandu, March 31: People’s representatives from seven local levels of Bagmati Province have been made aware of youth empowerment through technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
Organizing an interaction with mayors and deputy mayors from seven municipalities, the Shankharapur Polytechnic Institute of Sankhu, Kathmandu instructed how the local levels could play role to create jobs and foster entrepreneurship, especially among youths. Adoption of TVET with collaboration of local levels for better employability was underscored in the programme.
The local levels, as the government close to the people, were urged to take ownership of the TVET sector and augment accountability for its development by engaging youths, instructors and related institutions.
On the occasion, TVET expert and Member Secretary of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), engineer Mahesh Bhattarai, opined that local governments are better placed to identify local market needs to produce competent human resources. Collaboration between CTEVT and local governments is essential to meet the demands of the local job market, he underlined.
Similarly, Principal at Shankharapur Polytechnic Institute, Anil Muni Bajracharya, provided orientation to the participants on the benefits of local government’s ownership of TVET. Enhancement of quality life of youths has direct relations to local government’s ownership of TVET. The TVET equips youths with essential skills and knowledge so that they would be capable to create employments, augment entrepreneurships and contribute to revenue generation as well, he reminded.
Mayor of Gokarneshwor municipality, Dipak Risal, expressed concern over unemployment in his municipality and emphasized the TVET value which links education to employment. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with Shankharapur Polytechnic Institute for a scholarship programme in Diploma Engineering for the residents of Gokarneshwor municipality.
Likewise, Secretary of Ministry of Social Development in Bagmati Province government, Dr Bhishma Kumar Bhusal, viewed investment in human capital through TVET is crucial for long-term returns. Local governments can bridge the gap of unemployment by investing in the TVET sector, he suggested.
Mayor of Shankharapur municipality, Ramesh Napit, expressed commitment to fostering TVET sector by taking its ownership to boost employment in his municipality.
Deputy Mayor of Shankharapur municipality, Samita Shrestha, also viewed that her municipality was ready to support TVET sector.
In the programme held on March 29, the participants showed collective commitment to work towards empowerment of youths through TVET where local governments could take a lead to this regard.
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Business community elated after PM’s commitment to development activities in Mahottari
Mahottari, March 31: The people’s representatives and entrepreneurs in Mohottari district have hoped for better economic prospects in the district after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
During a meeting with the PM taken place on Saturday, PM Prachanda has assured to advance the development of a dry port at Bhittamod, a Nepal-India border point in the district.
Mayor of Matihani Municipality Hari Prasad Mandal said, “We have been convinced by the PM to advance the feasibility study of the dry port of Bhittamod customs from the experts.”
During the meeting with the PM, people’s representatives from different local levels and the chambers of commerce and industries in the district submitted a memo for the construction of the dry port.
Established in 2026 BS, the Bhittamod customs office could be a point for the exports and imports to third countries from its upgradation.
Likewise, Mayor of Jaleshwor Municipality Suresh Sah Sonar said the PM’s commitment to forward the task after holding talks with the experts has instilled hopes in the business community.
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Raya recommended for Auditor General
Kathmandu, March 31: Toyam Raya has been recommended for appointment to the post of Auditor General.
A meeting of the Constitutional Council held at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Baluwatar today recommended Raya for the post.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire gave out the information that the meeting chaired by Council Chair and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ made this decision.
Raya was the Secretary at the National Statistics Office.
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Manthali-Lukla flights resumed
Manthali (Ramechhap), March 31: Flights on the Manthali-Lukla route have resumed after a week-long closure due to adverse weather. Lukla Airport in neighboring Solukhumbu district remained shut for a week due to bad weather. This morning, with the weather clearing up in Lukla, flights between Manthali and Lukla have resumed.
During the closure of Lukla airport, Sita, Tara, and Summit airlines’ aircraft were grounded in Manthali. To accommodate foreign tourists heading to Lukla, some opted for helicopter rides to Surke in Solu, while others chose to travel by road up to Phaplu.
Pravin Subedi, Tara Air’s in-charge for Ramechhap, confirmed that flights to Lukla resumed after receiving reports of improved weather conditions in the area.
With the weather improving, foreign tourists are now arriving in Manthali from Kathmandu via road to reach Lukla.
It has been planned to operate Manthali-Lukla flights throughout the day today on a rotational basis, contingent upon weather conditions, according to Prajwal Guragain, senior officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) in Ramechhap.
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HoR meeting: Call for forming parliamentary investigation committee
Kathmandu, March 31: Today’s meeting of the House of Representatives has commenced. The main opposition party Nepali Congress has called for forming a parliamentary committee to investigate into the linking of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Rabi Lamichhane in the cooperatives fraud.
Nepali Congress leader Sanjaya Kumar Gautam said, “This is also the issue of ethics. The government should be serious on this (the linking of DPM Lamichhane’s name in the cooperative fraud). A parliamentary probe committee should be formed in this connection.”
He contended that a doubt has arisen regarding how justice can be done on this topic based on the Prime Minister’s replies in parliament and the Police Chief’s response on this topic in the parliamentary committee meeting.
Stating that the main opposition party Nepali Congress is well aware of the fact that the parliament should not be held hostage over certain demands, he called upon the government also to be serious regarding its responsibilities.
Lawmaker Gautam demanded that the parliament should also press the government for addressing the livelihood issues of the people. He reiterated that the main opposition party would continue raising this issue until the parliamentary investigation committee was formed.
“The then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had responded in the parliament itself that an investigation was on in this connection. But, now the investigation is stopped,” he said, adding that appointing Lamichhane as the Home Minister is a conflict of interest.
Lawmakers draw govt’s attention to address farmers’ problems
Meanwhile, speaking in the Urgent Time in the meeting of the HoR today, lawmakers voiced various contemporary issues, including the increasing number of road accidents and the farmers facing a plethora of problems.
Lawmaker Hitraj Pandey expressed concern over the increasing number of road accidents in recent days and urged the government to take effective measures to reduce rod fatalities, referring to the car accident that took place on Saturday near Muglin.
Eknath Dhakal also drew the government’s attention on this topic while Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan urged the government to resolve problems faced by the citizens while accessing various public services. He also called on the government to provide relief to the farmers after assessing the damage caused by the windstorm and hailstone.
Lawmaker Ashok Kumar Chaudhary raised the issue of the maize cultivated by farmers in the Tarai districts producing cobs without grains due to the ‘flawed’ hybrid seeds. He demanded action against the dealers selling such seeds and providing compensation to the farmers.
Chaudhary stressed on the urgent need of taking steps to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture and the problem of wild animals consuming and damaging the crops.
Dr Amaresh Kumar Singh said question has arisen regarding the adjudication of justice by the judiciary. He alleged that the judges were appointed on the power-sharing basis among the parties and the judges also gave verdicts in an unfair way.
He called for an investigation on the decisions of the judiciary and forming a parliamentary committee to assess the conduct of the judges. He also through the parliament called attention of the judiciary to what he called ‘the contamination’ of judiciary. Lawmaker Singh complained that only few of the complaints filed with the Judicial Council are investigated into.
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140-mw Tanahu Hydropower sees breakthrough of headrace tunnel
Tanahu, March 31: The under-construction 140-megawatt Tanahu Hydroelectricity Project witnessed a breakthrough of its headrace tunnel. The reservoir-based project utilizes water from the Seti River, flowing along the border of Rhishing Rural Municipality and Byas Municipality-5 in Tanahu.
Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and Gopal Prasad Sigdel, the Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, jointly initiated the detonation for the tunnel break through today.
This tunnel, part of Package-2 of the project, spans 1,493 meters from its intake point. With a diameter of 7.4 meters, the tunnel will be lined with concrete. The water supplied through the tunnel will be collected in an underground powerhouse through a 213-meter penstock.
During the ‘tunnel breakthrough ceremony’ held today, Secretary Sigdel expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, which has exceeded expectations. He urged all bodies concerned to ensure timely construction of the main dam site.
NEA Managing Director Ghising shed light on the significance of reservoir-based projects in addressing power demand and supply imbalances during dry seasons. He called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of the project.
Kiran Kumar Shrestha, Managing Director of Tanahu Hydropower, the project promoter, and Shyamji Bhandari, the Project’s acting chief, provided updates on the project’s progress and challenges.
The project is being developed in three packages and has achieved a physical progress of 54 percent thus far. Overall construction is expected to be completed by mid-July, 2026.
Under Package-1, construction is underway for the foundation of the main dam site and a temporary concrete dam approximately 40 meters tall, which will divert river water during the dam construction period.
The total estimated cost of the project is US dollars 505 million, with funding from various sources including 150 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 184 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), 85 million from the European Investment Bank, and 86 million from the Nepal Government/NEA.
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Pre-Seminar on Nepal Investment Summit held in Zhejiang Province of China
Kathmandu, March 31: The Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, in collaboration with the Nepal China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yiwu Office, organised a programme entitled ‘Pre-Seminar on Nepal Investment Summit and Expanding International Market’ in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China.
The event was organised on March 28 and aimed at encouraging potential investors in Yiwu to make meaningful participation in the upcoming Third Nepal Investment Summit 2024 scheduled to be held on 28-29 April 2024 in Kathmandu, the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing said.
In a prerecorded video message, Ambassador of Nepal to China, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, welcomed the participants and shared his views on the pool of investment opportunities available in Nepal across a variety of sectors.
After giving a quick overview of several investment areas, including tourism, hydropower, infrastructure, information technology, and agriculture sectors, he invited investors to attend the Summit in Nepal.
Video messages from Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, were played after the welcome remarks of the Ambassador.
The CEO of the Investment Board of Nepal, Sushil Bhatta provided an overview of the Summit and extended an invitation to join. He also briefed the participants on several facets of Nepal’s steadily improving and advantageous investment environment.
The event also included a presentation on Yiwu by the Deputy Director of the Yiwu Bureau of Commerce, Ms Zhu Xiaotang. The Vice Chairman of the Yiwu CPPCC, Ms Luo Xiaojun also spoke at the event.
Executive Vice President of the Overseas Chinese Association in Nepal and the Nepal China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association, Chen Xiaoshuang shared his experience about investing in Nepal.
Director of the Nepal Buyer Service Center and Head of the Nepal China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yiwu Office, Bishnu Prasad Dumaru delivered a vote of thanks.
Approximately 100 participants, including the officials of the Yiwu Municipal People’s Government, representatives from Chinese companies in Yiwu, representatives of the Nepali community, embassy officials, and media outlets, attended the event.
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Kulekhani-Dakshinkali road closed
Hetauda, March 31: Vehicular traffic on the Kulekhani-Sisneri-Chhaimale- Dakshinkali road has been closed for an indefinite period from today. The road links Hetauda and Kathmandu.
The road has been closed for carrying out upgrading works like construction of RCC, drains and black-topping, said Pratap Bhomjan, Chairman of Indrasarobar Rural Municipality-3. He said the traffic would be closed until the black-topping works are completed.
The Sisneri section of Kulekhani-Sisneri-Chhaimale-Dakshinkali Road was closed for construction works before this from the second week of this month.
The Ward Office said vehicular traffic on the road had to be closed until the completion of the black-topping works, as jeeps and microbuses started operating before the conclusion of the road upgrading works, hampering the construction.
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NC directs its PA members to vote against Bagmati CM Jamkattel
Manahari (Makwanpur), March 31: The Nepali Congress, Bagmati Province has directed its parliamentary party in the Province Assembly (PA) to vote against Chief Minister Shalikram Jamkattel.
A meeting of the NC Bagmati work execution committee held today under the chair of NC Bagmati President Indra Bahadur Baniya instructed the entire PA members from the party to vote against the Chief Minister. They have been asked not to stay neutral in the process of vote of confidence for Jamkattel.
Bagamati CM Jamkattel is to seek a vote of confidence on April 1, Monday and it is warranted by the NC decision on March 6 to withdraw its support that it gave to Jamkattel on January 17, 2023.
NC parliamentary party leader for the Province, Bahadur Singh Lama, has been asked to implement the instruction.
Jamkattel is required to obtain 56 votes for the vote of confidence. The 110-member PA consists of 37 members from the NC, 27 from the CPN (UML), 21 from the Maoist Centre, 13 from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, seven from the CPN (Unified Socialist), three from Nepal Workers and Peasants’ Party and two from the Hamro Nepali Party.
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NC central work execution committee meeting on April 2
Kathmandu, March 31: A meeting of the Nepali Congress central work execution committee has been summoned for April 2.
According to NC central office chief secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel, the meeting is scheduled to take place at 2:00 pm on Tuesday at the private residence of party President Sher Bahadur Deuba in Budhanilkantha. Committee office-bearers and members are directed to attend the meeting.
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Minister Mahaseth directs for completion of Kamala River Bridge by June 30
Godar (Dhanusha), March 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Raghubir Mahaseth, today inspected the under-construction bridge over the Kamala River, directing the construction company to conclude the project by coming June.
He warned that the government would seek an alternative if the project missed June 30 deadline, expressing his dismay over the inconvenience to the people of Dhanusha and Siraha due to an unexpected delay in finishing the project.
The Minister also inspected the under-construction Postal Highway here, pledging to accelerate its implementation. As he said, the Highway is considered as a lifeline for the Madhesh. He also monitored other ongoing road development projects in Aurahi and other parts of Dhanusha.
Though the bridge was completed after 10 years, it collapsed after a month of inauguration on July 3.
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Minister for Energy tables proposal on ISA agreement in HoR
Kathmandu, March 31: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has presented a proposal in the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, seeking general discussions on the agreement related to establishing the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Tabling the motion, Minister Basnet said the ISA was formed with the goal of increasing energy accessibility and guaranteeing energy security through energy promotion. He informed the House that all the member nations of the United Nations were affiliated to it.
Nepal signed the agreement in 2022 and so far 118 countries have signed it while 97 countries have approved it, he added.
The Energy Minister insisted that Nepal signed this pact with the commitment to emphasize on the use of clean energy and moving ahead the energy security in an effective way for combating the challenges of climate change.
He said in Nepal it is necessary to accord priority to the solar energy as the production of hydroelectricity goes up during the monsoon while it decreases during the dry season whereas the demand for energy and its consumption is almost constant throughout the year.
Minister Basnet argued that solar energy is the best alternative for the immediate address of the demand for electricity since it takes long time to construct the reservoir-based hydroelectricity projects.
Lawmaker Madhav Sapkota said signing on the ISA founding agreement will be advantageous for Nepal as it will increase the country’s access to green finance. He stressed that solar energy is a best option to fill the gap between energy demand and supply in the country. Sapkota also called for organising special discussion in parliament on climate change issues.
Lawmaker Sobita Gautam stressed on expanding the access to renewable energy sources for substituting the import of petroleum products which accounts for around 23 percent of Nepal’s total imports.
Ganesh Parajuli said there is the possibility of bringing huge foreign direct investment into the country in the solar energy sector.
Lawmaker Metmani Chaudhary called on the government to give equal priority to the generation of solar power to supplement hydropower for meeting the growing demand for power in the country.
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High-level Committee on Tax System Reforms submits report to government
Kathmandu, March 31: The High-level Recommendation Committee on Tax System Reforms has submitted its study report to the government.
The Committee handed over the report to Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun today. The government had made provision for constituting this committee in the budget statement for fiscal year 2024/25. Pursuant to this provision in the budget statement, a meeting of the Council of Ministers on September 15, 2023 constituted the Committee.
Former Finance Minister and Finance Secretary Bidhyadhar Mallik was the coordinator of the committee while former secretary Laxman Aryal, professor at the Tribhuvan University, Central Department of Economics Dr Ram Prasad Gyawali and former administrator and customs expert Ram Prasad Dahal were its members.
The committee prepared the 258-page report with 140 annexes in six months. The report has made recommendations on various topics of the economy, including on increasing the revenue mobilization, creating new employment, reforms in tax-related laws, tax rate, tax administration and revenue structure.
Receiving the report, Finance Minister Pun expressed the government’s commitment to implementing the suggestions pointed out by the report. He said the report has come at an appropriate time in the context of difficulty in bearing even the general expenses from the government revenues of the dire need to attract the domestic and foreign investors to bring in maximum investment into the country.
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Two arrested on charge of robbery
Kathmandu, March 31: A team of District Police Range, Kathmandu has arrested two people on the charge of robbery and made them public on Sunday.
Those arrested are 27-year-old Prashant Jung Karki, resident of Tarkeshwar Municipality-6 and Raju Gurung, resident of Budhanilkanth Municipality-2, Kathmandu, according to Range Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Navraj Adhikari.
Adhikari shared information that the arrested men beat up a taxi driver near Kapan Durga Mandir of Budhanilkanth Municipality-12 at around 9:00 PM on March 26. They seized a mobile set, blue book, a laptop, wallet, and Rs 18,000 from the driver.
Karki and Gurung were arrested from Basundhara Chowk of Kathmandu Metropolitan city and further investigation into the case was continued.
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12 injured in Kaski jeep accident
Kaski, March 31: As many as 12 people were injured in a jeep accident at Bhadaure of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 in Kaski district today.
The jeep with registration no Ga 1 Ja 5547 going to Bhadaure from Pokhara met with an accident leaving 12 passengers injured, according to the District Police Office, Kaski.
DPO, Kaski’s Officiating Spokesperson and Police Inspector Surya Rana shared that the injured were being brought to Pokhara from accident site for treatment.
Rana informed that the condition of injured ones is yet to be assessed. The accident site lies 29 km away from Pokhara city. A team of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force carried out the rescue operation in support of the locals. Details about the accident are awaited, police said.
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NC directs lawmakers to vote against Chief Minister Jamkattel
Manahari, March 31: Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Committee has directed its parliamentary party to vote against Bagmati Province Chief Minister Shalikram Jamkattel.
The meeting of the work execution committee held under the chairmanship of Nepali Congress Bagmati Province President Indra Bahadur Baniya on Sunday instructed all MPs of the party to not remain neutral, but vote against the vote of confidence.
Chief Minister Jamkattel is scheduled to take vote of confidence tomorrow (April 1) in the Bagmati Province Assembly. If any party in the government coalition withdraws its support, Chief Minister is obliged to face confidence motion within 30 days as per constitution.
Jamkattel must secure 56 votes to maintain majority in 110-member Province Assembly. In the Province Assembly, there are 37 members of Nepali Congress, 27 of UML, 21 of Maoist Centre, 13 of RPP, seven of CPN (Unified Socialist), three of Nepal Workers and Peasant Party and two of Hamro Nepali Party.
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Kaski jeep accident update: Two passengers die
Kaski, March 31: Two persons died while ten others got injured in a jeep accident occurred at Bhadaure of Annapurna Rural Municipality-4 of Kaski district on Sunday afternoon.
Those losing lives in the crash are Jayram Sunar, 52; and Laxman Sunar, 55, from Pokhara Metropolis-23. They died while receiving treatment at Manipal Teaching Hospital, according to Police Inspector at District Police Office, Surya Rana.
Five others injured in the crash are receiving treatment at Manipal Hospital while Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences has also been providing treatment to similar number of injured in the same accident.
A jeep (Ga 1 Ja 5547) heading to Bhadaure from Annapurna, Pokhara met accident at Bhadaure. The vehicle fell some 200 meter down the road. A team of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force had carried out rescue operation in support of the locals, police added. The incident site lies 29 km away from Pokhara city.
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Education Ministry mulling two intakes in a year
Kathmandu, March 31: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has shared that it was mulling two intakes in a year in secondary school and universities.
Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Suresh Adhikari, said it during an inaugural session of a conference organized by the Monitoring Educational Foundation here Sunday.
Secretary Adhikari said that the policy was being mulled in response to latest fad among the youths that they quit education halfway once failing their annual exams or drop in the middle of their study for foreign employment.
He said that the new policy would be put in place acknowledging the need for policy review and institutional reform in education system since 43 per cent students in Grade 9 to Grade 12 had dropped the school while 15 to 20 per cent were admitted in the higher education and some 1.5 million students would go abroad annually.
“It is not that there is dearth of good college for higher education in Nepal but the students seeking higher education abroad seem to go abroad for their better future and lucrative jobs rather than for fulfilling university need,” asserted Adhikari, adding that this concern should be addressed by the new policy.
Secretary Adhikari also spoke of the need to develop universities also as research hub in addition to a centre for teaching learning activities. “The government does not always provide fund to the universities. They should be self-reliant,” he viewed.
Similarly, former Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Open University Prof Lekhnath Sharma urged all concerned to pay attention towards adopting IT relevant education policy and its pragmatic use so as to bridge the gap among different generations.
During the conference, experts and stakeholders held group discussions on the goals of SDG and education policy, vocational education, agriculture, health and environment education and fiscal sector among others.
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PM Dahal wants strict monitoring of bills and stickers to curb fake use
Kathmandu, March 31: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed the subordinate bodies to investigate the issue of fake bills and use of fake stickers seriously and take strong actions against those involved in wrong doing. Revenue leakage must be stopped to strengthen national economy, he reminded.
PM Dahal directed the officials from his office, Home Ministry and Ministry of Finance during the meeting held on Sunday at his office, Singha Durbar. The meeting dwelt on how revenue leakage could be curbed.
Addressing the meeting, PM Dahal said, “Give priority to fail ‘settings’ forged for revenue leakage and illegal business. Use of fake bills, invoices and stickers were reported. It warrants serious attention and monitoring.”
He further viewed the government had renewed commitment to give pace to works which needs similar cooperation. “The government has decided to speed up its activities. Corruption, smuggling and tax evasion obstruct government on its way to achieve economic prosperity,” PM reminded.
According to the PM, the frustration among people needs to be addressed through remarkable shift from traditional work style, behaviour and thoughts. The culture of paying and receiving bills should be made effective for internal market.
Transformation of business with adoption of new technology is the need of hour. Tax administration should also be ensured technology friendly so that revenue generation would be boosted, the PM insisted. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Ravi Lamichhane, Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, National Planning Commission Vice Chairman Dr. Min Bahadur Shrestha, Chief Secretary Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, Finance Secretary Dr. Krishna Hari Puskar, Revenue Secretary Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Home Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, Secretaries at Prime Minister’s Office, Inspector General of Police Basant Kunwar, Inspector General of Armed Police Force Raju Aryal and Director Generals under Finance Ministry were present in the meeting.
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Women need empowerment: NC President Deuba
Kathmandu, March 31: Nepali Congress President and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said women need further empowerment to create equal and equitable society.
During a programme organized by the Mangala Devi Singh Foundation in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolis on Sunday, NC President argued that women’s empowerment could pave a way for building human rights-friendly society where justice would prevail.
The programme was organized to honour the women who have contributed to women movement for women rights, and political and social awareness. Deuba further said such programme would help elevate the status of women. He mentioned that elevated status of women could help establish NC as the largest party in the coming election.
He remembered the late Mangaladevi Singh as a pioneering leader who played a vital role to guarantee women’s rights in constitution. Deuba commented that Nepal’s constitution is superb in terms of inclusion, proportional representation and rights to women and backward communities. “Nepal’s constitution is an excellent charter in the world,” he underscored.
On the occasion, party leader Prakash Man Singh also reminded the role late leader Mangala Devi Singh had on achievement of women rights, their dignity and establishment of democracy in the country. Mangala Devi was true to her words, he added.
Similarly, Joint General Secretary, Mahalaxmi Upadhyay, and Kathmandu district president of NC, Sabuj Baniya, recollected the contribution of late leader Singh in achievement of freedoms including women’s rights. Nepal Women Association’s Chair Usha Raut Mishra said the Association was working actively to realize the dream of late Singh for women rights in Nepal.
Lila Koirala (Dhanusha), Laxmi Rai (Bhojpur), Anju Basnyat (Dolakha), Krishna Amatya (Kathmandu), Chirihira Shakya Ranjit (Kathmandu), Sita Dahal (Sankhuwasabha), Hani Shrestha (Sarlahi), Sharada Vaidya (Kaski), Shanta Sharma (Kanchapur), Sona Bhandari (Kathmandu) and Shashi Rimal (Kathmandu) were honoured in the programme by offering shawl and Rs 15,000 each.
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‘Stay away from politics’, Education Minister to govt teachers, professors
Kathmandu, March 31: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha has asked the teachers, professors and government staffs to stay away from political parties.
She reminded the law that working teachers, professors and employees in education sector should remain free from party politics. Their distancing from politics is essential to ensure quality education, Shrestha underlined.
Moreover, she also called upon the concerned bodies to initiate action against such government employees who have obtained political membership. In her message, the Minister warned that the professors and teachers would be removed from their posts if they took political membership. “Once teachers are involved in politics, they are playing with the students’ future,” Shrestha argued.
The Minister also sought registration of complaints, if any, in the concerned bodies in case of such teachers and professors.
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DPM Mahaseth instructs for timely reconstruction of Kamala River bridge
Siraha, March 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth instructed the contractor for the timely reconstruction of the Kamala river bridge.
The 470-metres long bridge that connects Siraha and Dhanusha district lies along the Postal Highway. It is expected to be reconstructed by mid-July this year.
DPM Mahaseth, inspecting the under-construction bridge on Sunday, warned if bridge of national importance was not rebuilt timely, the construction company will be booked. Stating that the government had made arrangement for all means and resources needed to reconstruct the bridge, Mahaseth expressed his concern that people here had suffered a lot to cross the Kamala River in absence of the bridge.
It may be noted that the bridge collapsed some two years back before it came into operation. Construction company’s site in-charge Sudeep Thapa, however, said it was not possible to complete the reconstruction of the bridge due to technical reason.
According to him, work related to foundation of the bridge could be completed in upcoming years. “Due to flood in Kamala River, it is not possible to work for six months in a year. It is extremely difficult to work here given the composition of the sand and soil here. The design for reconstruction for the western side of the caved-in bridge has not been passed yet,” he divulged.
Furthermore, he shared that they are yet to receive outstanding payment of Rs 50 million from the insurance company. The financial reason is also delaying the reconstruction process, he added.
Altogether 13 inspections including the recent one by DPM Mahaseth have been carried out from higher level since the bridge construction work commenced. Yet, the locals are not confident of the timely reconstruction of the bridge.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had also made an aerial inspection of the bridge on March 25 this year while coming to inaugurate the country’s longest suspension bridge over the Kamala River, towards the southern side of the site where Kamala river bridge is being construction.
PM Dahal, assuring that the government had paid special attention towards timely reconstruction of the bridge, had pledged to arrange adequate budget for the same in the upcoming fiscal year.
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DPM Shrestha urges Chinese investors to put money into Nepal’s infrastructures
Chengdu (China), March 31: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha requested the Chinese investors to sink money into Nepal’s infrastructures as Nepal has huge potential of hydropower, agriculture and infrastructure.
Foreign Minister Shrestha, who is currently on an official visit to China, encouraged Sichuan businesspersons to invest in Nepal during a meeting he had with Sichuan Provincial Governor Huang Qiang on Sunday. He shared with them about the positive developments in legal, structural and procedural fronts in Nepal, which he argued would be favourable for investment in Nepal. Nepal whole heartedly welcomes foreign investment for its development.
Minister Shrestha asked for huge participation of Chinese investors in the third investment summit Nepal was going to hold soon. He reminded that exchange of high-level visits between Nepal and China had strengthened the bilateral relations.
DPM Shrestha reiterated Nepal’s one China policy.
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Radio Nepal’s role vital in preserving music: Secretary Subedi
Kathmandu, March 31: Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Ram Krishna Subedi, lauded that the role of the Radio Nepal was important in preservation, promotion and expansion of Nepali songs and music.
Secretary Subedi, also the Chairperson of the Radio Broadcasting Service Development Committee and Radio Nepal Board of Directors, said so at the nationwide modern song competition held here on Sunday, marking the 74th anniversary of Radio Nepal.
He asserted that songs and music were treasures of the nation well as a means of reflecting the sentiments of individuals and means of identifying society. Subedi expressed his confidence that the nationwide competition would help preserve Nepali culture and traditions.
Similarly, Radio Nepal’s Executive Director Buddhi Bahadur KC shared that Radio Nepal had digitally archived old songs and audio materials besides recording songs in all indigenous languages, taking voice test and imparting music and vocal training.
As per spirit of federalism, Radio Nepal had prioritized broadcasting regional music in all seven provinces.
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