- Tuesday, 30 April 2024
Kathmandu, April 16: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane has said that he was not involved in the financial cooperatives’ fraud case.
In a social media post today, Home Minister Lamichhane has denied his involvement in the case as claimed in news reports in relation to Supremo co-operatives of Rupandehi.
He has stated that a fake account was opened in his name to disburse a loan. However, the money as loan from the cooperative was not deposited in his personal account. Furthermore, investigation has revealed that when the loan was sought required documents including citizenship certificate, loan request form, three-generation details, and signature or thump print were not attached.
Arguing that he was not bound to take responsibilities of the irregularities committed by GB Rai, the Home Minister has said that he was not involved in any way except being a shareholder in the Gorkha Media Network Pvt Ltd at that time. He has also appealed to all sides concerned not to engage in activities that would affect the police investigation and the case under consideration in the court.
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Experts suggest to bring implementable budget
Kathmandu, April 16: Economists and experts have urged the government to introduce a practicable budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
At a meeting of the National Assembly’s Committee on Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance on Tuesday, the experts viewed that the new budget should be based on development and social justice along with being gender-responsive.
They suggested that the government should focus on sustainable development of agriculture, energy and tourism sectors in the new budget. On the occasion, economist Dr Govinda Nepal said the big-size budget and its non-implementation have created fiscal imbalance and called for a practicable budget.
He argued the new budget should accord priority for the modernization of agriculture, information technology, energy and tourism. Likewise, Registrar of Kathmandu University Achyut Wagle said the structure of the economy should be made environment-friendly and the new budget should focus on the areas for sustainable development of agriculture and its production.
Similarly, social advocate Bharati Silwal Giri said the budget should be gender-responsive and it should incorporate the issues of gender equality and women empowerment. During the meeting, NA Vice Chairperson Bimala Ghimire expressed confidence that the feedback received from the experts would be instrumental in enriching the new budget.
Committee Chairperson Kamala Devi Pant said the new budget should address the issues of Dalits, underprivileged and marginalized communities.
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RoK parliamentary delegation calls on NA Chair Dahal
Kathmandu, April 16: A parliamentary delegation of Republic of Korea (RoK), currently on a visit to Nepal, called on National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal.
The delegation led by Lee Sangheon, President of the Korea-Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Group, called on the NA Chairperson at the latter’s office at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu today.
During the meeting, matters related to Nepal-Korea diplomatic ties, parliamentary experience exchange and mutual cooperation were discussed, according to the NA Chairperson Dahal’s Secretariat. On the occasion, NA Chairperson Dahal mentioned of completion of 50 years diplomatic ties between Nepal and South Korea and emphasized expanding mutual collaboration and cooperation and augmenting parliamentary experience sharing to take the cordial and friendly ties between the two countries to a greater height.
Acknowledging the Korean government’s investment in Nepal’s hydropower, agriculture, automobiles and other sectors through Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), he urged the Korean government to consider investing in the areas where fertilizer industries could be set up and skilled human resources could be produced in vocational education to increase agriculture production.
Sharing about the upcoming third Investment Summit to be held in Nepal towards the end of April, he appealed with the government of RoK and private sector, through the visiting delegation, to facilitate Korean investment in Nepal.
Similarly, Lee, also the President of Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the NA in RoK, expressed that this meeting had helped further strengthening the ties between the two countries. Stating that the government of Korea was always ready for Nepal’s economic advancement, he called for collective efforts to encourage foreign investment and to create an enabling environment.
According to him, he had been to Nepal many times in the past and shared that he was delighted to find some new development in Nepal in every visit.
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Speaker Ghimire urges to discourage illicit trade in eastern checkpoint
Jhapa, April 16: Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Devraj Ghimire has urged businesspersons to discourage illicit trade taking place through eastern checkpoint, Kakadbhitta.
In his address to an all-side discussion organized here today by Mechinagar municipality on contemporary issues, including border security, Speaker Ghimire urged not to engage in illegitimate trade taking advantage of the porous border with neighbouring India.
He expressed worry for the state loosing revenue due to rise in the illegal trade. Ghimire highlighted the pivotal role of chamber of commerce and industry, other associations and people’s representatives for marketization of agro products of Nepal.
The Speaker called for the government to open mobility of tourists from third countries that has been halted following COVID pandemic. On the occasion, Mechinagar municipality mayor Gopal Chandra Budhathoki submitted a 15-point demand to the Speaker, including among others, facilitating transactions in eastern checkpoint Kakadbhitta, efforts to easily bring tourists to Nepal, international standards lab within customs, arrangement of on-arrival visa for Bangladeshi tourists at Kakadbhitta.
At the programme, Mechi Customs Chief Ram Prasad Regmi said revenue loss has been caused here as the coal that was being imported via the eastern checkpoint is entering the country from other checkpoints adjoining Bihar state of India.
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KMC to organise cancer screening camp from Wednesday
Kathmandu, April 16: Kathmandu Municipal Corporation (KMC) is going to conduct cancer screening camp starting tomorrow.
In the camps, the KMC is going to conduct free screening for breast and cervical cancer and fertility-related ailments. The camp will run throughout the month of Baisakh (until mid-May) at the urban health promotion center of the metropolis.
Accordingly, various dates have been assigned for different wards of the metropolis. Furthermore, free tests will be conducted at Civil Hospital, Min Bhawan, in Kathmandu for women who need further examination, as follow up to the tests carried out at the camp.
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Province Chief makes another call to claim CM post
Sudurpaschim, April 16: Province Chief of Sudurpaschim Province Najir Miya has again called upon the province assembly members to submit their claim for the post of Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province. The call was made as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.
Issuing a press statement today, the Office of the Province Chief said that a decision for the post of chief minister could not be made due to the separate claims put forth by Nagarik Unmukti Party’s province assembly members, as per the notice released on April 5.
The Province Chief has given the deadline till 5:00 pm on April 18 to come up with a clear basis to obtain a majority with the backing of two or more than two political parties represented in the Province Assembly.
Article 168 (2) of the Constitution provides that wherein no party has a clear majority in the Province Assembly, the Province Chief shall appoint as the Chief Minister a member of the Province Assembly who can command majority with the support of two or more parties represented in the Province Assembly.
Earlier today, the CPN (Unified Socialist) had withdrawn its support extended to province assembly member Laxman Kishor Chaudhary of Nagarik Unmukti Party. It is noted that three days ago Chaudhary had submitted his claim for the chief ministerial post with support from CPN (US), Nepali Congress and Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
On the same day, Nagarik Unmukti Party’s Kailash Chaudhary had also submitted his claim for the post of chief minister with support from CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) along with an independent lawmaker.
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Economy will go vibrant in collaboration with private sector-PM Dahal
Kathmandu, April 16: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the economy could be made vibrant in collaboration with the private sector.
At a programme organized to mark the 21st anniversary of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) here today, Prime Minister Dahal expressed the government’s commitment to boost the confidence of the private sector. “The government is serious for economic reforms”, Dahal said, “I am clear that the country’s economy could be made dynamic in collaboration with private sector. The government has put positive interventions for economic reforms”.
He clarified that the government was responsibly acting to boost confidence of private sector, enabling investment-friendly environment and creating incentives for result-oriented works. The government is preparing to focus its efforts on manufacturing and employment generation, as well and revitalize people’s optimism despite the pressure”, he claimed, adding, “We will take ahead the monetary policy accordingly”.
He further said the problem of private sector is the problem of the economy. “The government will put all-out efforts to fix the problems.” The economy lately has shown important signs of reforms, he said, expressing confidence that the current fiscal year would be optimistic year for the economy. “We are hosting the third international investment summit at the onset of the New Year. Over a dozen laws are under the process of amendment to draw foreign direct investment”, the PM briefed, adding, “The year 2081 could be taken as a hopeful year”.
The export of goods such as electricity, zinc sheet and cement has also increased our hope to enable country’s economy, he said. “Tourist arrival has whopped and information technology sector has also rekindled our optimism. PM Dahal noted, adding such activities would believably contribute to the national income and capital formation.
Also on the occasion, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said the government was ready to create environment conducive for business and industry. The event was attended by the chairpersons and representatives of umbrella organizations of businesspersons and industrialists.
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Petty incidents do not affect power equation: UML Chairperson Oli
Jhapa, April 16: CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli said that minor incidents will not bring any changes in the current power equation.
Addressing the first plenary meeting of the UML, Jhapa in Kankai on Tuesday, Chairperson Oli viewed that patriotic parties had formed the current power equation and thus his party was committed to sustain the equation. “We had to break down the old equation and we did as well. The new equation ought to be formed and we formed as well. Many people commented that our party did not claim stake in Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Home Affairs. The important thing is not about claiming stake in the ministries. The government is ours. Hence, both ministries are also ours,” Oli said.
The septuagenarian leader, also former Prime Minister, claimed that various forces were continuously hatching conspiracy to foil the current power equation. He assured that his party would leverage the current power equation in the best interest of the country and citizens, stating that his party had a long political experience and had been a responsible guardian force.
He commended that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had taken a bold decision to form the current power equation. Stating that the Mission-84 launched by his party was a sensible political destination, he saw the need for his party to secure win in the upcoming election for the greater good of the country and citizens.
The Mission-84 campaign refers to the UML’s goal of securing majority seats in parliament through the election to be held in 2084 BS.
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Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh arrives in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, April 16: Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masud Bin Momen arrived in Kathmandu today for a three-day official visit to Nepal.
His visit is in connection with the Third Round of Nepal-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations, which is taking place on Wednesday in Kathmandu, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladeshi Secretary Masud Bin Momen was welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport by MoFA Joint Secretary Bhrigu Dhungana and Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari. The MoFA stated that Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal will lead the Nepali delegation at the consultations.
The two delegations are expected to discuss wide-ranging areas of bilateral cooperation.
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60 artworks by 50 artists exhibited in Thamel
Kathmandu, April 16: An art exhibition and workshop have kicked off in Thamel, Kathmandu from Tuesday.
The Sarong Art Group, in partnership with Sonja Art Gallery, has organized a three-day art exhibition and art workshop at Hotel Art Thamel where 60 artworks from 50 artists from Nepal, India and Bangladesh are displayed.
Rastriya Swatantra Party leader and Member of House of Representatives from Kathmandu constituency no 7 Ganesh Parajuli inaugurated the exhibition.
Stating that the relations among various countries had become stronger through art exhibition, he expressed his confidence that the event would contribute to development of Nepal’s art sector.
Similarly, Sonja Art Gallery President and Hotel Art Thamel’s proprietor Chiranjivi Bhatta shared that the art exhibition was organized to showcase Nepal’s art sector in the international level. The Sonja Art Gallery has been introducing Nepali art at the international level since 2004, he said.
Likewise, senior photographer from Bangladesh, Dr Imran Bin Yunus expressed that it was a matter of happiness for the artists from India and Bangladesh to exhibit their artwork in Nepal that is adorned with bounty of culture and nature.
Artworks of Bangladeshi artists Safiq Ahamad Sajib, Azizul Kadir, Rafia Akhtar and senior Indian artists Reheman Patel, Dr Subaya Yam Nila, Narayan Sukambar among others were put in the exhibition. It is the seventh art exhibition organized by Sarong Art Group that has shown artworks in six places of five countries, said Nargis Soma, the Chairperson of the Group.
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Madhes CM Yadav gets vote of confidence
Janakpurdham, April 16: Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Saroj Kumar Yadav, has obtained a vote of confidence from the province assembly on Tuesday.
With this, it is the fourth time that Chief Minister Yadav has taken a vote of confidence from the province assembly. Chief Minister Yadav got 61 votes in his favour from the 107-member province assembly.
The province assembly members of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) voted for Chief Minister Yadav, the JSP parliamentary leader from Madhes Province.
As a result, Nepali Congress, Janamat Party and Loktantrik Samajwadi Party have been pushed to the opposition bench in Madhes Province. Earlier today, Yadav tabled a motion seeking a vote of confidence of the province assembly members amid protests from the Janamat Party’s province assembly members.
Chief Minister Yadav tabled the proposal at the province assembly after Speaker Ramchandra Mandal allowed him to table the proposal on a vote of confidence. The province assembly members of Janamat Party have been obstructing the House business demanding the formation of a parliamentary probe committee to investigate the issue of a clash occurred some three months ago at Madhes Agriculture University in Saptari.
The party has been putting forth its twin demands of the formation of a parliamentary committee and the resignation of Chief Minister Yadav.
Yadav took the vote of confidence from the province assembly after Nepali Congress province assembly lawmakers withdrew their support to the Yadav-led government. Meanwhile, Minister for Forest and Environment Ramesh Prasad Kurmi of Loktantrik Samajwadi Party resigned from his post on Tuesday, after his party decided not to support CM Yadav’s continuation.
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State should pay special attention to prepare sportspersons from local level –President
Kathmandu, April 16: President Ramchandra Paudel has stressed the need for the State to pay special attention towards producing athletes from the local level to make country known across the globe through the medium of sports.
Inaugurating the 14th President Running Shield Sports Competition organized here today by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, President Paudel stressed that the State should pay special attention to ensure necessary resources, competent coach and infrastructure development for sports sector advancement. “Sports should also be developed by building various development infrastructures in the villages. Education and sports are two sides of the same coin. While classroom education opens the eyes and minds of the students, sports makes the brain and mind active and disciplined”, Poudel said, adding, “Local and province governments should lay special attention to ensure that the players can survive in the village, district and province and make a bright future in sports. The private sector should also equally come together in the bid to support for the future of the sportspersons”.
Saying that students’ involvement in sports is the basis of prosperity, success and building of society, he said new ideas and innovation would also be developed among the students with their continuous involvement in sports.
President Poudel stressed the need for the government and stakeholders to pay adequate attention to the development of sports by providing employment with necessary training and encouragement to the sportspersons. Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Youths and Sports Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said there was an enthusiastic participation in the tournament, claiming that reforms have been made in the sports sector, including Dasharath stadium after he assumed the ministerial responsibility.
President Paudel illuminated the lamp with Para Taekwondo Olympian Palesha Gobardhan handing over the Olympian torch. The Olympian torch was taken around the track before lighting the lamp. Olympians Debu Thapa, Kamal Bahadur Adhikari and Hari Rimal also participated on the occasion.
It may be noted that Palesha had secured a place in the Paris Para Olympics by winning the gold medal in the women’s under-57 kg category in the K-44 category at the Asian Qualifiers held in China.
Palesha is the first and only Nepali athlete to win a medal at the Asian Para Games.
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President Paudel observes Seto Machhindranath Chariot
Kathmandu, April 16: President Ramchandra Paudel reached Ason this evening and paid obeisance to Seto Machhindranath.
The President also received Tika and Prasad from the priest at the Chariot of Seto Machhindranath, that reached Ason from Tindhara Pathshala.
The chariot procession of deity Seto Machhindranath started from Tindhara Pathshala premises on Tuesday afternoon and reached Asan in the evening. The chariot procession of Seto Machhindranath takes place every year starting on the day of Chaitra Shukla Ashtami in the lunar calendar, praying and wishing for rain and good times ahead.
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