- Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Kathmandu, April 1 : Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri said on Monday that the government is working to finalize the Bill on Transitional Justice at the earliest possible time.
Minister Giri said so while receiving the demand letter submitted by Accountability Watch Committee’s Coordinator Raju Prasad Chapagain representing various organizations. Giri assured that the transitional justice related legislation would be amended complying with the verdicts of the Supreme Court, acknowledging the aspirations of the conflict victims and international conventions and treaties.
The Minister said that intensive discussions on the Bill would be held with everyone to conclude the Bill. The letter demands an appraisal of the current status of the Bill that is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives (HoR). The demand letter seeks to find out the status of the Bill that contains an amendment proposal regarding the formation of the recommendation committee and selection of office-bearers.
Furthermore, the delegation calling on the Minister today urged the government to initiate the process of appointing the commissioners following the amendment in the transitional justice bill and to make arrangements for the investigation into the cases of violations of human rights during the conflict era to be carried out only under the authority of the commissioner.
As specified by the order issued by the full bench of the Supreme Court on the case of Suman Adhikari, the delegation demanded the readiness on the part of the government to immediately start the process of appointing officer-bearers for the commission after the proposal registered by the government in the parliament seeking an amendment in the transitional justice related laws is finalized.
The demand letter also mentions that they need to appraise the government attaching top priority to facilitate in giving impetus to the transitional justice process and addressing the concerns of all stakeholders inside and outside of the parliament regarding amendment of the Bill. “It would be an irony to repeat the same situation where the transitional justice process was derailed in the past,” expressed Chapagain.
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01- Paved trekking route constructed in Myagdi
Myagdi, April 1: A paved trekking route has been constructed at Malika rural municipality-7, Bim.
The trail route passing through the settlement has been transformed to the paved one as part of the beautification of the village.
With the construction of concrete trekking route, the problem of mud and dust has ended and the villages have seen clean looks, said Tukman Jugali, a local of Dandegaun. “The paved trekking route has made the village clean and easy for the locals”, he shared.
Around 300 families have benefited from the construction of the trekking route in Bim and Dandagaon. It has also eased children and senior citizens to move around.
Chair of the paved trekking route construction users’ committee, Sharan Kumar Jugjali said the trekking route was constructed at the cost of Rs 3 million appropriated by the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management of the Gandaki province in the current fiscal year 208081 BS.
“We have constructed a 425-metre trekking route in Bim lower village and 250 metres in Dandagaon”, he informed. Motorcycles and bicycles can also be driven on the footpath.
It has become easier to clean the sloped trekking route. Bim and Dandagaun are the religious tourist places.
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02- DPM Shrestha returning home today
Chengdu (China), April 1: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who is on an official visit to China, is returning home today.
During the visit, he had meetings with high-level political leadership, including Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Chairperson, Wang Huning, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
Matters related to different dimensions of bilateral relations between Nepal and China were discussed on the occasion.
Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha also called on Vice Minister of the Communist Party of China’s Foreign Department Sun Haiyan. During the meeting, they discussed ways to deepen relations between the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the Communist Party of China.
DPM Shrestha addressed a pre-investment conference organized at the Nepali Embassy in Beijing, calling upon Chinese investors to invest in Nepal.
He also visited the southwestern city of China, Chongqing Municipality. On the occasion, Shrestha and Secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Committee Yuan Jiajun held a delegation-level meeting. On the occasion, DPM Shrestha said Nepal and China should move forward together in the journey of economic prosperity.
Similarly, DPM Shrestha met Wang Junzheng, party secretary of China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. On the occasion, Shrestha said Nepal and China should move forward together in the journey of economic prosperity. Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha called on Wang Zhungheng, party secretary of China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, and urged him to resolve the problems being faced by the people of the Nepal-China border area.
He visited the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa and directed them to pay attention to economic diplomacy. A delegation headed by DPM Shrestha also visited the Kailash Mansarovar area in Tibet. He also called on Sichuan People’s Government Governor Huang Xiaoxiang and urged him for Chinese investment in Nepal.
Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha arrived in China on March 25 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
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03- Nepal ‘A’ taking on Ireland ‘A’ today
Kathmandu, April 1: Nepal ‘A’ is playing the third T20 practice match against Ireland ‘A’.
The match will start at the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University cricket ground at 1.00 pm today. Nepal suffered defeats in all the matches played earlier and lost the title of the series.
Nepal ‘A’ had lost to Ireland ‘A’ by 21 runs in the first match and 40 runs in second match. Nepali team could not register win in the first match on Friday despite century from Lokesh Bam.
Chasing the target of 223 runs presented by Ireland, Nepal was limited to 201 runs at the loss of all wickets in 19.3 overs.
In the second warm-up match held on Saturday, Ireland ‘A’ set a target of 225 runs to win against Nepal ‘A’. Nepal ‘A’ could score only 184 runs losing all wickets in 17.5 overs.
Nepal ‘A’ lost the series against Ireland ‘A’ due to its inability of middle-order and lower-order batters to play well. Nepal ‘A’ is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Ireland ‘A’ from Wednesday.
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04- Bharatpur metropolitan city academy honours literary writers
Chitwan, April 1: The Bharatpur Metropolitan City Academy has honoured various literary writers.
Academy’s Chancellor and Bharatpur mayor Renu Dahal feted the literary writers amidst a programme on Sunday.
Prakash Thapa of Bharatpur-4 was honoured with ‘Bharatpur Pragya Samman’ while Prof Dr Karna Bahadur Baniya of Bharatpur-12 was provided with ‘Krishnabam Malla Pragya Samman’. Likewise, DR Pokharel of Bharatpur-10 was honoured with ‘Chitwan Pragya Puruskar’. The Academy presented this award to Pokharel for his literary creation ‘Sanskritiko Sopanma Chitwan’. As informed, the honoured literary writers bagged a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.
Similarly, Siman Kshetry of Bharatpur-1 was feted with ‘Bagishwori Pragya Puruskar’ for his novel ‘Jhumar’.
Jagannath Pundit of Bharatpur-1 was presented with ‘Bharatpur Pragya Puruskar’ towards poetry for his collection of poetry entitled ‘Gharbarima Tori Phulyo’.
Likewise, Ashtadev Khanal was given away the ‘Bharatpur Pragya Puruskar’ (towards fiction writing). They were honoured with cash prize of Rs 25,078 each.
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05- CM Jammakattel to take vote of confidence today
Manahari (Bagmati), April 1: Chief Minister of the Bagmati province government, Shalikram Jammakattel is taking vote of confidence at 1.00 pm today.
A meeting of the province assembly business advisory committee on Sunday had fixed the agenda with a decision to put the proposal relating to the vote of confidence for discussion in Bagmati province assembly today.
According to Province Assembly secretary Krishna Hari Khadka, the meeting has decided to take a vote of confidence in the meeting of the Province Assembly to be held today. The meeting is scheduled to discuss the proposal related to the vote of confidence of CM Jammakattel and present it for decision.
Chief Minister Jamkattel will present the motion related to the vote of confidence in the province assembly meeting and assembly members from different parties will give their views on the proposal, secretary Khadka said. Chief Minister Jammakattel was compelled to seek a vote of confidence after the Nepali Congress withdrew its support from the province government. Accordingly, he had registered a proposal with the Secretariat regarding taking the vote of confidence.
The CM needs a total of 56 votes in the Province Assembly to sustain the government. In the Bagmati province, CPN (UML) has 27 members, Maoist Centre 21, CPN (Unified Socialist) seven, Hamro Nepali Party two, Nepali Congress 37, Rastriya Prajatantra Party 13 and Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party three.
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06 As AI ecosystem overwhelms world, Nepal needs to augment pace
Kathmandu, April 1: If there are two most defining topics in the world at present, climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) undoubtedly come on top. Explosive rollout of generative AI in 2023 is a critical juncture in development of information technology.
In a short span of time, thousands of seminars have been organized while research papers in similar numbers written on this hottest topic. With both extremes showing the positive impacts and downsides of AI in the literatures and lectures, the bewilderment has overwhelmed global populace. Techno optimism with futurist rallying and pessimism with trepidation of hijacking of humanity are going on regarding the AI.
Although the world witnessed explosion of generative AI in 2023, the AI spurt had not come as a bolt from blue
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AI: A long debate, continuous evolution
It was October 27, 1960, an American newspaper the ‘Lexington Leader’ ran a headline, ‘IBM Experts Say Electronic Brains Offer No Threat to Taking Over Man’s World’. Giving credit to the AP, the paper in Frank Carey’s byline wrote from Washington: “If you have nightmares about electronic brains getting out of control and taking over the world, you can rest easy. An IBM (International Business Machines) expert says they’re no threat to mankind. However, he also says scientists are trying to cook up something new- a machine that would really imitate the operation of the brain and nervous system of animals, or even a human.”
The news story had brought a reference that IBM man Arthur L Samuel had a dispute with Dr Norbert Wiener, an MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) expert and originator of the science of Cybernetics, over computers and their potential to that of human brains.
The story stated fear and hope even among the earliest computer scientists, who are regarded as AI pioneers, over computer’s capability. This scribe found it in a truncated piece of Lexington Leader newspaper, which was shared by Luciano Floridi, Founding Director of Digital Ethics Centre at Yale University, on X (former Twitter) on March 14.
Since then to the present, the IT sector has come a long way. The unwavering research by the computer and data scientists continued to add new dimensions in this field. Consequently, the world is in the later stage of fourth industrial revolution (4IR) at present. Digital gadgets are as if human appendages, while internet an oxygen of communications and AI a byword and a force-multiplier. Nothing is being left untouched by the AI debate as had been the case in relation to digital disruption some years back. IT and AI talks are not mere the geeks’ business.
AI: Fear and hope
Economic correspondent for the Guardian, Richard Partington, on March 27, wrote a story how AI could eat up millions of jobs in UK. Giving a headline, ‘AI ‘apocalypse’ could take away almost 8 million jobs in UK, says report’, he referenced to a report of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which warned that women, younger workers and those on lower wages are facing utmost threat of automation. It is so in the wake of number of companies increasingly embracing generative AI technologies so that they could automate workplace chores.
On the other hand, the Times of India, released a video story on March 10 about India’s first-ever AI teacher robot named ‘Iris’ which was rolled out in a Kerala school. The story read: Powered by cutting-edge robotics and generative AI technology, Iris features an in-built voice assistant and runs on an Intel chipset. The humanoid, clad in a saree, interacted with students in a video shared on Instagram.
“Developed under the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) project by NITI Aayog, Iris aims to revolutionize traditional teaching, responding to queries and educating students from nursery to class 12 through an Android app,” it said, adding, “Currently proficient in three languages, developers plan to extend its language capabilities to 20 languages.”
UN resolution on AI
The above references are only just representative stories. There are thousands of such stories showcasing both bright and dark sides of AI in the world. The vehement emergence of AI and its pervasive expansion have compelled the world to think and act collectively. National and regional concerns are showed in abundant AI related policies, directives and researches. Lately, regulation and governance of AI has therefore been a pressing issue.
In this regard, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution for safe, secure and trustworthy AI on March 21. The 78th session of the UNGA adopted the resolution, underlining the need of human-centric AI which fully respects, promotes and protects human rights and international law, maintains privacy, and enables progress towards to SDGs and sustainable development in three fronts- economic, social and environment.
The UN member states are encouraged to prepare policies and regulations to foster competition in safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems and technologies associated with it. The UN has also urged all member states for taking action for cooperation and extending assistance to the developing countries so that they could be ensured with inclusive and equitable access to reap benefits from digital transformation and AI system.
AI readiness: Where we are
While mentioning AI adoption, it is worth noting to observe Nepal’s status on AI readiness. Nepal has been ranked 150th out of 193 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index, 2023. The report made public by the Oxford Insights showed Nepal’s total score- 30.77. The total score is calculated from three bases- government pillar, technology sector pillar, and data and infrastructure pillars. With total score, 30.77, Nepal has achieved 31.04 in government pillar, 24.21 in technology sector pillar, and 37.06 in data and infrastructure pillar.
The US is on top with 84.80 total score, while Singapore the second in the index with 81.97 total score.
Earlier in 2022, Nepal had secured 139th position out of 181 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index.This data indicates Nepal government’s strength in latest technology and the areas it should improve to embrace and prosper AI. It warrants attention and engagement from the government and private sectors to boost their capacity and visibility. In this regard, in an AI Conference held in federal capital, Kathmandu, on March 3, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had vowed creation of favourable atmosphere for development and promotion of IT and artificial intelligence.
The RSS had reported PM Dahal saying, “The government will take the necessary initiatives that it needs to take from its side for the development of computer technology, robotic technology, data science, machine learning, internet of things and computational infrastructures. It will move ahead coordinating the policy related to AI with the National Science and Technology and Innovation Policy, 2076 BS and the Digital Nepal Framework, 2019.”
Similarly, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology recently released a draft bill on IT and Cybersecurity, which has stated AI, but it is meagre. Interestingly, it has urged everyone against negative use of AI while failing to define what the AI is. The government is learnt to be mulling a separate AI policy as well.
Welcome initiative
It is welcome in deed for Nepal that even the internationally acclaimed AI scientists are conducting research and imparting education on AI to the Nepali and international scholars within the country itself. Talking to this scribe earlier, Director at NepAl Applied Mathematics and Informatics Institute (NAAMII), Dr Bishesh Khanal, had informed that they had conducted four editions of AI camps/schools in which the AI students and students of data science from more than 30 countries had participated. NAAMII based in Nepal is an organization run by youth scientists, which has been catering knowledge and skills even to the foreign scholars- doing PhD in data, robotics and AI through summer, winter and spring schools. The story of Fusemachines in relation to AI is also appreciative in Nepal.
These international and national events and stories prove that AI atmosphere and ecosystem have already engulfed us. Expansion of AI is unstoppable. Nepal should not shy away but needs to join the bandwagon.For this to happen, massive literacy of AI is imperative. The government, line agencies and experts’ organizations can collaborate to devise model of AI literacy and transfer skills and knowledge accordingly. Similarly, the government needs to identify the AI activities going on in the country and recognize the organizations and research institutions which are championing AI practices.
At a time when the Head of the Government is pledging for the atmosphere to progress IT and AI, the concerned government agencies’ active engagement with the youths’ innovative initiative counts much to harness the benefit of IT and AI. The young scientists are in need of State’s cooperative role to augment research and innovation on IT- whether it is to break legal barrier or to rollout modern policy, facilitate the organizational activities and to set up institutional mechanisms equipping with high-tech workforce.
Importantly, investment on research and development of IT is a long due in Nepal. It is right time that government is discussing budget priorities for the next year. So, line ministries and concerned agencies can pile up pressure for adequate budget allocation to this front.
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07– Parliamentary hearing process of proposed auditor general begins
Kathmandu, April 1: The parliamentary hearing process of the proposed Auditor General Toyam Raya has proceeded from today. The Secretary-General of the Federal Parliament, Padma Prasad Pandey informed that today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Hearing Committee decided to issue a notice to the general public to submit to the committee within 10 days if there is any complaint related to Raya.
The meeting of the Constitutional Council on Sunday decided to recommend Raya, the Chief Statistics Officer of the National Statistics Office, for the appointment to the post.
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08- 15 protesters arrested
Kathmandu, April 1: The police have detained 15 people who protested in front of the south gate of Singha Durbar today, demanding the protection of the lives of Nepalis serving in the Russian army.
Spokesman and Superintendent of Police Navraj Adhikari informed that those who were protesting in front of the federal government secretariat complex in the country were arrested as they were holding demonstration in the prohibited area.
Kritu Bhandari, leader of awareness campaign activists among others was detained.
SP Adhikari said, “15 people including ten men and five women who demonstrated in front of the Singha Durbar have been detained.”
According to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, those who were taken into custody were kept at the police circle Singha Durbar. They protested demanding the return of bodies of those who died in course of the Russia-Ukraine war fighting on behalf the Russian army, and searching for those who have lost contact and the rescue of stranded Nepalis over there.
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09- Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha returns home
Kathmandu, April 1: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has returned home today after completing his official visit to the People’s Republic of China.
On the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha had visited China from March 24 to April 1 leading the Nepalese delegation.
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10 – DPM Shrestha says his China visit remained productive
Kathmandu, April 1: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, who returned home today after completing an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, said the visit has contributed to further strengthening the mutual goodwill, respect, and trust between the two countries.
Talking to media person at Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival from the northern neighbour, the Minister remarked, “The historic and friendly relations between the two countries have reached new heights through this visit.”
DPM Shrestha had been on a visit to China from March 24 to March 31, at an invitation of Communist Party of China (CPC)’s political bureau central committee member and China’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi.
During the visit, Minister Shrestha extended an invitation to his counterpart Wang to visit Nepal at his convenient time. “Both parties have agreed for an effective implementation of Nepal-China agreements and to regularise the meetings of existing mechanisms to expedite the pace of cooperation,” the Minister said. According to him, with his visit to the northern neighbour, the mutual relations and respect between Nepal and China have reached to a new height.
“The discussions held during the visit were comprehensive and open, focusing on mutual assistance and cooperation,” said the Minister, expressing hope that the trip contributed to further strengthening the centuries-old, multi-dimensional, and friendly relations between Nepal and China.
He briefed the media that the Chinese side is positive for ensuring trans-border pastureland for the Nepali community residing on the Nepal-China border as per the agreement reached in 2012 and electrification at some Nepali villages there.
Similarly, the Chinese side responded positively to the call of Nepal to resume the Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service, facilitating the exports of buff, medicinal herbs, vegetables, and fruits from Nepal to China. During the discussions, Minister Shrestha urged China to establish multi-dimensional labs in certain areas along the Nepal-China border and provide capital and technological assistance to enhance Nepal’s agricultural sector productivity.
Both parties have been positive for operating the flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara to various cities in China. Likewise, both parties have expressed interest in expanding transnational roadways, air flight services, and electricity transmission lines to Nepal-China connectivity. Both parties have agreed to come up with agriculture, tourism, hydropower, and infrastructure projects and implement them.
Minister Shrestha urged China’s government and private sector investors for their enthusiastic participation in the Nepal Investment Summit scheduled to take place on April 28-29, for their support to make the Nepal Visit Year 2025, considering investing in Nepal’s diverse sectors.
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11- Three tigers die in cage of Parsa National Park
Birgunj (Parsa), April 1: Three tigers kept inside a cage in the Parsa National Park (PNP) have died in the latest some months. Two male and one female tiger rescued from Chitwan National Park and Thori of Parsa and brought here have died.
An 8-year-old adult male elephant that was brought here after rescuing from Chitwan National Park has died lately, the Parsa National Park Administration said. PNP Information Officer Santosh Bhagat said the wild cat, which was sick since some days, was found dead when the keepers went to the cage to feed it.
Two tigers kept in cage at PNP had also died two months back. The PNP Administration said the tigers might have died due to illness as they were kept in a single cage that could accommodate only two tigers.
PNP Chief Conservation Officer, Ram Chandra Khatiwada, informed that the tigers died as they had to be kept in the cage for long time after rescuing them.
A tiger count conducted in 2022 put the number of Royal Bengal Tigers in PNP at 41.
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12- Nepali Embassy in Saudi Arabia denounces media report
Kathmandu, April 1: The Embassy of Nepal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has denounced a recent media report alleging that the Embassy charged fees from employers’ companies for document verification.
In a press statement, the Embassy expressed its serious concern regarding the matter and made it clear no complaints about such purported irregularities have been lodged with the Mission, as claimed in the media.
The Embassy refuted the credibility of the news article claiming the involvement of Ambassador Nawaraj Subedi, Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. Damaru Bhallav Paudel, and Second Secretary Tikaram Upadhayay in such affairs.
The Embassy clarified that during the current online demand paper attestation process, documents are authenticated by the ambassador/deputy chief of mission, following oversight by the operator, document verification officer and labor counselor.
The Embassy affirmed that no additional fees are charged for this service, apart from the government-determined revenue. Despite facing challenges such as adverse climate conditions, vast territory, and a unique environment, the Embassy said it is committed to serving the service-seekers to the best of its abilities within limited resources.
According to the Embassy, it holds online interactions with relevant authorities, including the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies and the Department of Foreign Employment, to address issues promptly, including document attestations, rescue operations, and repatriation efforts.
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13- Foreign tourist arrivals increase 28.9 percent in March
Kathmandu, April 1: The number of foreign tourists entering Nepal has increased by 28.9 percent in March this year. According to the Nepal Tourist Board (NTB), the number of foreign tourists entering Nepal has increased by 28,741 in March this year compared to March of last year.
A total of 99,426 foreign tourists entered Nepal in March of last year, while 128,167 tourists arrived in Nepal during the same period this year.
Among them, the highest numbers of Indian tourists have come in March. A total of 30,698 tourists from India came to Nepal during that period. The number of Chinese tourists is 12 thousand 93. According to NTB, during that period, 10,773 visitors from USA and 7,241 from Britain, 5,741 from Sri Lanka, 5,255 from Germany, 4,345 from Thailand, 3,240 from France and 3,000 from Myanmar visited Nepal.
Similarly the arrival of foreign tourists, regionally, 40,727 tourists from Asia (SAARC countries), 28,648 from Asia (others), 27,582 from Europe, 4,780 from Oceania, and 12,664 tourists from Canada and America visited Nepal.
In January of this year, 79,100 foreign tourists entered Nepal while 97,426 visited in February. In the first three months of 2023, a total of 272,755 foreign tourists have entered Nepal, while in the first three months of 2024, a total of 304,693 foreign tourists have entered Nepal, which is 33.78 percent more.
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14- Karnali government to develop 13 schools in 10 districts as model school
Kakrevihar (Surkhet), April 1: Ministry of Social Development, Karnali Province, is planning to develop at least 13 schools in 10 districts in the province as model schools.
Officiating Director of Education Development Directorate, Deepa Hamal, said that the school was selected through the ‘One District One Model School’, physical infrastructure construction and teaching and learning improvement teachers’ professional support programme.
Director Hamal informed that 13 schools were selected by a ministerial decision among the schools that submitted proposals according to Public Education Reform Procedure 2080 BS. One school each has been selected in Surkhet, Dailekh, Dolpa, Jumla, Kalikot and Mugu, while two schools each have been selected in Jajarkot, Salyan and Rukumpaschim districts.
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15 – Lawmakers, stakeholders stress on meaningful participation of guardians
Kathmandu, April 1: Lawmakers and stakeholders have stressed that the School Education Bill-2080 should ensure meaningful participation of guardians in school management committee.
At an interaction ‘Guardians in Education Act’ organised on the occasion of 10th establishment day of Community School Management Committee Federation of Nepal here today, role of guardians in school management was highlighted.
On the occasion, Nepali Congress General-Secretary and lawmaker Gagan Kumar Thapa pointed out the need of participation of guardians while drafting this act. “Guardians have not been included in school education bill related discussions. There should be collaboration with guardians”, he shared, adding community should be united for reform of community schools.
Similarly, Secretary of the CPN (UML) and lawmaker Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, said the school education bill is going to be formulated since long and it should be discussed by all.
It was necessary to increase state’s investment and guardianship in education, he underlined.
Likewise, former Education Minister and lawmaker of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Devendra Poudel mentioned that there would be no improvement of any sector until there is improvement in school education.
“There will be no development until education sector becomes systematic. Teacher’s commitment, activeness and hard work is necessary for the school reforms. Teacher should focus their attention on it. Guardians should also pay attention on it”, he stressed.
Chairperson of National Examinations Board, Dr Mahashram Sharma shared that there is a problem how to identify real guardians and fake guardians.He underscored, “It should be identified that how much means and resources do schools have in local levels and how much the federal government will provide while making this act. An illiterate person can sit in the school management committee and give his/her opinion. Real guardians should be participated in decision process of school management.”
Educationist Prof Kedar Bhakta Mathema stressed that management committee should have ownership for school reform, stating that there should be unity among committee members.
There should be collaboration and trust among guardians, school and teacher for reform of the schools, added Prof Dr Peshal Khanal.
Federation Chairperson Gunaraj Muktan laid emphasis that the bill should pay attention on meaningful participation of Guardians as meaningful participation of real guardians was mandatory for the improvement of school.
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16- Five containers with equipment to explore petroleum products arrive in Dailekh
Dailekh, April 1: Equipment meant for the first phase exploration of petroleum products in Dailekh have arrived in Dailekh. Five small containers loaded with such equipment arrived here from China via Kolkata and Rupaidiya point.
It is said, now the exploration works will be carried out round the clock.Big containers en route to the district from China have been stuck on the way due to narrow turning points along the Karnali and Mid-Hill Highways. It has been reported that efforts are underway to find a passage for those containers. Around 150 containers have reportedly left Rupaidiya Point in India for Dailekh carrying the exploration tools.
The fixing of tools already arrived here is going on. Chief District Officer Khimraj Bhusal regularly monitors the site. As he said, the works to explore the petro products have been expedited. Likewise, processes are underway to address the demands of locals to provide them jobs and financial support to those households affected by the project.
Bhairabi rural municipality’s chief administration officer, Bhupendra Thapa, said locals demand that the procession of petroleum products should be carried out within the district. The project has been implemented as per the G2G agreement between Nepal and China and it is expected to open an avenue for Nepal’s prosperity if turns successful, Dailekh Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kul Bahadur Gurung said.
The drilling for the exploration will go up to four kilometers beneath the earth. Through drilling, it is expected to determine the quantity of petroleum products and gas storage, providing the way for going for the next round of works, Project Chief Dinesh Kumar Napit said.
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17- Process of ending party politics in education will start soon: Education Minister
Kathmandu, April 1: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha has said that a campaign will be conducted to end party politics in the education sector.
At today’s meeting of the National Assembly, Federalism Strengthening and National Concerns Committee, Minister Shrestha said that the campaign to end party politics in the education sector will be initiated from Tribhuvan University (TU).
“The reason why investment in the education sector is not result-oriented is due to parties’ interference,” she said. According to her, there has been an open call for applications for members of the Service Commission.
In the meeting held to discuss the progress and situation in the education sector, Suresh Adhikari, the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, presented the details of the current financial year and the future action plan. He said that the education budget should be increased and the school reconstruction action plan of Jajarkot earthquake affected area will be moved forward. “We are preparing to increase the budget for the repair of schools in the earthquake-affected areas,” he said.
In the meeting, Members of Parliament Jaga Prasad Sharma, Indira Devi Gautam, Rajendra Lakshmi Gaire and others gave suggestions on the upgradation of education sector. Chairman of the committee, Sonam Galzen Sherpa, presented an example of non-politicized community schools and stressed the need to increase the quality of education.
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18 – CM Karki inaugurates Baidhyanath Bridge in Udayapur
Katari (Udaypur), April 1: Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Kedar Karki, today inaugurated an RCC bridge constructed over the Baidhyanath rivulet. The bridge links Ward n. 6 and 7 of Katari municipality. On the occasion, he shared that the province government has been carrying out infrastructure development and construction.
Stating that this bridge has connected many people with the province capital, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu, the Chief Minister stressed that the province government has laid emphasis on humanitarian development with infrastructure development.
“The province government is involved towards humanitarian development to making people’s future bright along with road upgradation. The province government takes the responsibility of study, health and skill development of children”, he underscored.
Similarly, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development of Koshi Province, Kamal Prasad Jabegu, mentioned that the province government has focused its attention on hilly areas centric development rather than urban.
Likewise, Minister for Industry, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ram Kumar Khatri, explained that with the completion of the bridge, it would be easier to locals in their movement.
Katari hospital would be upgraded to 50-bed hospital with the effort of province government, he added.
With the construction of the bridge, it has become easier to people of ward 6 and 7 as well as locals of Tapli, Udaypurgadhi, Limchungbung rural municipalities in their movement as well as to take local production to market.
The 84.40 meter long bridge was constructed at a cost of Rs 149.47 million. Though the contract was signed to complete the construction of the bridge within two years, it was completed within 15 months.
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19- NAC’s ‘convincing reply’ sought on narrow body plane repair
Kathmandu, April 1: The International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives has directed the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to provide it with documents concerning the maintenance of a narrow-body aircraft within the next 15 days.
A meeting of the Committee held in Singha Durbar today wants the national flag-carrier to submit a convincing reply regarding the aircraft repair. Committee President Raj Kishore Yadav said the Committee is informed about the alleged corruption during the repair of the aircraft’s engine and in this context, the NOC should convince the Committee with a substantive reply that there is no corruption during the maintenance.
The NAC sent its narrow body to Israel on January 11 for repair. The plane was grounded on December 1, 2023. According to the NOC, Israel-based MRO Company assured that the plane will arrive in Kathmandu by April 28.
During the meeting, lawmakers expressed their concern stating that it has been over four months since the aircraft was sent for engine repair and a delay in its arrival has affected the NOC flight schedule. They demanded the formation of a separate committee to probe the matter.
Lawmakers Bhim Prasad Acharya, Sunita Baral, Shishir Khanal, Damodar Paudel Bairagi, Uday Shamsher JB Rana, Prem Suwal, Eknath Dhakal, Yogesh Gauchan Thakali and Dr Dhawal Shamsher JB Rana advised the NC to prepare an action plan for its restructuring, to control irregularities reported inside the NOC and make its service swift and effective.
Stating that disputes between the NOC and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) have negatively affected the aviation and the entire tourism industry, he urged effective cooperation and collaboration between the two institutes to make a ground from removing Nepal’s airlines from the European Union (EU)’s blacklist and for enhancing the reliability of NOC services.
Minister for Culture and Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, assured of action if any wrongdoing is proved on the part of NOC. As he said, he is studying the issue.
NOC executive chair Yubaraj Adhikari said the repair of the narrow body follows the rules.
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20- Nepal ‘A’ defeats Ireland ‘A’ by three runs
Kathmandu, April 1: The team Nepal ‘A’ defeated Ireland ‘A’ in the third T20 practice match held today at the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University cricket ground. Nepal won the match by three runs.
Chasing the target of 214 runs, the Ireland ‘A’ posted 210 runs in 20 overs by losing seven wickets. However, Ireland has won the title of the T20 series as Nepal suffered defeats in all the matches played earlier, to lose the title of the series. Nepal ‘A’ had lost to Ireland ‘A’ by 21 runs in the first match and 40 runs in the second match.
Nepal ‘A’ is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against Ireland ‘A’ from Wednesday.
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21- 63 mountaineers receive permits to climb Mt Everest for spring season this year
Kathmandu, April 1 : As many as 63 mountaineers received permits to climb Mt Everest, the world’s tallest peak, for this year’s spring season. According to the Department of Tourism, 13 women and 50 men from five different expedition teams took the permits till Monday.
Section Officer of the Department, Chun Bahadur Tamang, said altogether 148 persons including 42 women have got their permits to climb different mountains including Mt Everest. By issuing permits, a total of 105.59 million rupees in royalty has been collected so far.
Issuing a press statement, the Department said equal three expedition teams received the permits to climb Mt Amadablam and Mt Annapurna followed by Mt Everest. The Department has stated that 478 persons had received permits to climb Mt Everest last year.
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23- Chief Minister Jamkattel gets vote of confidence
Hetauda, April 1 : Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Shalikram Jamkattel, got the vote of confidence of the Province Assembly on Monday. Among the 110 province assembly members, members 56 cast their vote in favor of the Chief Minister.
In today’s meeting of the province assembly, 108 members were present and Chief Minister Jamkattel got votes from CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist). A province assembly member of Hamro Nepali Party also voted for Jamkattel.
However, Nepali Congress voted against Jamkattel while Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and Nepal Workers Peasants Party chose to remain neutral. The RPP has 12 province assembly members excluding the Province Assembly Speaker and the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party has three lawmakers.
A member of Hamro Nepali Party abstained the meeting. So far, Chief Minister Jamkattel has taken and won the vote of confidence three times.
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24- WB Chief calls on Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane
Kathmandu, April 1: World Bank Country Director for Nepal Faris Hadad Zervos paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane at the Ministry of Home Affairs today.
On the occasion, WB Chief Zervos said that the WB is willing to support the comprehensive disaster risk reduction project and the institutional capacity development of the governments in view of the disaster risk that may arise from large hydropower projects in Nepal.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lamichhane expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its support to Nepal in various fields including post-earthquake reconstruction, social protection, and disaster management.
Also today, country representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Caroline Spannath Varma also paid a courtesy call on DPM Lamichhane expressed his belief that there will be stronger and more effective cooperation in the future.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lamichhane praised the role played by UNHCR at different times in managing Nepal’s refugee-related affairs.
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25- Concept paper of second five-year plan of Gandaki released
Gandaki, April 1: The Gandaki Province Policy and Planning Commission has unveiled the concept paper of the second five-year plan of the province.
At a program held in Pokhara today, Vice Chair of the Commission, Dr. Krishna Chandra Devkota, released the concept paper, while noting that the regional goals of achieving productivity, social justice and social development have been determined for the second five-year plan.
The concept papers includes three provincial objectives, eight overall strategies and 14 primary areas for achieving the target. The objective of the plan is to increase quality infrastructure and production, employment and income, and build human capital. Likewise, Devkota said that equitable distribution of the development benefits, establishing social justice, providing quality public services and enhancing good governance are also the objectives of the plan.
It also identifies transformative programs and projects for the development of the province to be implemented with the investment of the provincial government. On the occasion, Devkota shared that province and local level partnership programs, province-federal partnership programs, programs conducted with foreign aid, public-private partnership programs, programs and projects conducted with private sector investment have been identified.
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26- SC to clear cases older that five years
Chitwan, April 1: Chief Justice (CJ) Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha has said the Supreme Court (SC) is committed to clearing the cases older than five years by taking up the act as a mission.
Talking to journalists here Monday, the CJ shared that the SC has only 40 cases older than 10 years that are left to be cleared and added that processes are ongoing to clear the cases registered five years ago.
The oldest cases are the ones registered in 2067 BS and the cases are being reduced through the case management system. Saying that processes for the reforms of the SC have been initiated, Shrestha argued that the number of cases at the SC have increased also due to some laws enacted in the country in recent times.
CJ Shrestha said that management of officials and judges is taking place on the basis of the load of the cases in the courts.
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27- UML to get CM post in Karnali
Karnali, April 1 : The CPN (UML) will get the post of Chief Minister in Karnali, as per the agreement reached at the federal level.
It has been agreed to give the post of the Chief Minister of Karnali Province to UML, said in-charge of CPN (Maoist Centre) Karnali Province, Kali Bahadur Malla. A communiqué had been received towards that end.
Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma is seeking a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly on Tuesday.
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28- US delegation to participate in Investment Summit
Kathmandu, April 1: The US Chamber of Commerce delegation is going to participate in the Investment Summit to be held in Nepal on coming April 28-29.
US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean Thompson, apprised Minister of Finance Barshaman Pun of the participation in a meeting at the Ministry of Finance on Monday. During the meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interests including timely completion of the projects that are being run in Nepal with support of the U.S.
The American envoy pledged support from their side to make the Investment Summit a success, according to Minister Pun’s Secretariat. Informing that preparations were afoot to organize the summit successfully, Minister Pun shared that preparation for legal and procedural reforms was being made to create investment-friendly environment in the country.
“As a favorable investment climate is being enabled in Nepal, we are anticipating for the participation of more American investors,” Minister Pun said to US Ambassador Thompson. According to the Minister, works related to the Sovereign Credit Rating, a measurement of a government’s ability to repay its debts, had been taken forward to improve investment environment in Nepal.
The government of Nepal has taken forward the process of rating Nepal’s credit rating through international credit rating organization named Fitch. Similarly, Minister Pun shared that the possibility of Nepal being blacklisted by the Financial Action Taskforce has been eliminated as the bill related to Anti Money Laundering and Business Environment Promotion have been endorsed by the both Houses of the parliament.
The Bill that amended provisions of 19 different laws related to money laundering, is currently in the process of authentication by the President.
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