House of Representatives meeting today

Kathmandu, June 8: The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet at 1:00 pm today.

As per the meeting agenda, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel will present a proposal seeking a discussion on the government’s annual estimate of revenue and expenditure (budget) for the financial year 2025/26.

Similarly, the Chair of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, Ramhari Khatiwada, will present the ‘Report of the Committee on the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2082’.

It may be noted that the parliament meeting has not been able to enter the regular agenda in the past few days due to continuous obstruction by the main opposition parties, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over the ‘visit visa’ scam.

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Rainfall likely in Koshi and Madhesh provinces

Kathmandu, June 8: Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi and at one or two places of Madhesh Province along with the hilly region of the country today. There are also chances of light rainfall and snowfall at one or two places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

Due to influence of monsoon winds in Koshi, the weather will remain partly to generally cloudy in the Province along with the hilly region and mainly fair to partly cloudy in rest of the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. The west and central regions of the country are currently under the influence of westerly winds and local winds.

Tonight, the weather will remain partly cloudy in Koshi Province along with the hilly region and mainly fair in rest of the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places of Koshi and at one or two places of hilly region of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces. There are chances of light rainfall and snowfall at a few places of the high hilly and mountainous region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

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One killed in road accident

Bhadrapur (Jhapa), June 8: One person has died in a road accident that took place last night along the East-West Highway in Sano Kerkha of Kamal Rural Municipality-3.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Khagendra Bahadur Khadka of the District Police Office, the deceased has been identified as Armed Police Sub-Inspector Puran Lal Rajbanshi, based at the Armed Police Force Nepal BOP in Ilam.

The accident took place when Rajbansi lost control of the motorcycle (Pra. 1-02-0052 Pa. 7029) he was riding towards Kerkha from Birtamod. Rajbanshi, who was seriously injured in the accident, died during treatment at the B&C Hospital in Birtamod.

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African swine flu and lumpy skin confirmed in Mechinagar

Jhapa, June 8: African swine flu and lumpy skin disease have been detected in domesticated animals of Mechinagar Municipality.

Lumpy skin has been confirmed in Wards No. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 14 of Mechinagar and African swine flu in pig farms of Ward No. 6, shared Chief Administrative Officer of the Municipality, Agni Prasad Adhikari.

Technical staffers from the Animal Services Unit of the municipality have been mobilized for necessary testing, treatment and vigilance for the disease control and further prevention. We have also requested necessary support from the Koshi Province and federal government agencies, said Adhikari.

Chhatra Rai, technician at the Animal Services Unit said lumpy skin was detected in cows and calves and the infected animals have been isolated following treatment.

Meanwhile, to prevent further spread the veterinary team has administered vaccines to more than 150 cattle raised by farmers within 500 meters of the shed where the infection was found. The animals infected with the disease have high fever, shivering, loss of appetite and low milk production.

Similarly, 80 pigs have died due to African swine flu at Babita Pig Farm in Mechinagar Ward No. 6. The tests conducted at the Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory confirmed African swine flu in the dead pigs, said Bikram Gurung, head of the Animal Services Unit.

After receiving news of sudden death of pigs on the farm a sample was sent to the laboratory for testing, which confirmed African swine flu.

 Farm proprietor Babita Gahatraj said that 80 pigs died all of a sudden in the month of Jestha.

Meanwhile, a technical team led by the municipality’s animal services branch is carrying out medical treatment and awareness activities to prevent the spread of the disease in the affected pig farm and surrounding areas.

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Jaya: Punhi festival being celebrated in Panauti

Kavrepalanchok, June 8: The residents of Panauti are celebrating Hilejatra or Jaya: Punhi for three days starting tomorrow.

The end of the festival marks the beginning of farming season, especially the staple paddy. This Jatra or fair, which is celebrated for three days, is considered to be the biggest Jatra among the local festivals.

During the Jatra worshipping is performed in all the temples of Panauti.

Similarly, the idol of Ganesh located in the east of the Indreshwar Mahadev temple is carried on a chariot and paraded around the town. On the day of Poornima or full moon, three chariots of Bhadrakali, Mahadev and Indreshwar are raced in the market early in the morning, with the chariots clashing against each other upon meeting.

The locals invite their guests throughout the Jatra and have a feast. It is also customary to sacrifice animals in each house for the feast.

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