- Monday, 30 June 2025
Kathmandu, June 29: The lower House of the federal parliament, House of Representatives (HoR), passed the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2082 with a dozen of new provisions on Sunday. The Bill was registered in the parliament one and half year back.
The Bill has been passed with the provision of 2 years of cooling off. It is one of the significant features the Bill incorporated. As per the provision, civil servants are barred for two years since retirement from job to get public appointments- constitutional and diplomatic.
This provision had earlier created an intense debate even among the lawmakers and top bureaucrats, prompting bureaucrats to run from pillars to posts to secure their interest to avoid cooling off.
Since the registration of the Bill, it had witnessed debates in several other key points such as retirement age, lateral entry, entry age for men/women in civil service, cooling off, arrangement of additional secretary, term of chief secretary.
The current retirement age has been extended by two years, reaching 60. However, it will be enforced phase-wise. In the first year of the enactment, the civil servants will retire at the existing age limit- 58, while those to retire in the next fiscal year at 59 and those in the third fiscal year at 60.
Similarly, the provision of additional secretary is included in the Bill. Present provision of recruiting Joint Secretary (gazetted first class) through free competition is deleted. The Bill has provided the free competition entry up to the post of gazetted second class or undersecretary.
Upper age limit for women to enter civil service has been slashed by one year- now till 39 year.
The State Affairs Committee of the parliament had held several rounds of debate on the pressing points of the Bill in a bid to fit the federal administration.
The Bill will be forwarded to the upper House, National Assembly. Once the National Assembly passes the Bill, it requires authentication from the President, which will be followed by the publication in the gazette.
Those taking part in the Sunday discussion on the Bill in HoR meeting were lawmakers Rekha Sharma, Prem Suwal, Prakash Jwala, Mahendra Bahdur Shahi, Janardan Sharma, Aman Lal Modi, Ranendra Baraili, Prabhu Sah, among others.
Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Raj Kumar Gupta, had presented a proposal, seeking the passage of the Bill.
The HoR will meet next on July 7.
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PM Oli claims digital learning helped improve SEE results
Kathmandu, June 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has expressed happiness over the progress in results of this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE). He said it was quite encouraging.
In an audiovisual message released on Sunday, PM Oli stated all sides concerned need to adopt adequate measures to improve the results. He reminded his commitment in the parliament on improving this year’s SEE results. Expressing happiness that about 61.81% of examinees graded this year, PM Oli congratulated everyone graded in the SEE.
According to him, a campaign to improve the SEE exam had led students in villages to start learning on mobile devices in addition to physical classes. Those in need of special guidance besides physical classes and mobile learning were ensured regular ‘online’ classes through nearly 200 teachers. “In areas without internet, Nepal Telecom made arrangements for free data. I personally encouraged the students through direct communication,” the PM explained the measures adopted to improve SEE results this year.
The PM argued that as many as 150 thousand students were directly benefitted from this campaign. In addition to these efforts, if the students had not worked hard, there could not fare well.
The Head of the government said the results last year had disappointed us. “We found that most of those non-graded in SEE were the students from remote places. Indeed, there were many challenges, and not sufficient time for preparation either. We had to reach out to students at every village,” he reminded, sharing that we adopted the measures to encourage every student for their excellence in study and exam.
Oli urged the non-graded students not to consider this as the final test of their life, but continue struggle for success later.
CAAN blamed for delayed relocation of air fuel depot from Sinamangal
Kathmandu, June 29: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has blamed the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) for the delayed relocation of air fuel depot from Sinamangal that adjoins Tribhuvan International Airport.
Despite government’s serious concern over the present location of NOC’s air fuel depot citing security and subsequent decision for its removal at the earliest, the relocation of Sinamangal-based depot was delayed because CAAN failed to hand over the ownership of land to NOC.
It was what NOC’s Sinamangal Depot Chief Pradip Kumar Yadav argued during a press conference on Sunday.
“Owing to not having a clear demarcation of the identified land, site clearance and the structures in the proposed depot area from CAAN, it was difficult for NOC to proceed with the depot relocation.
He further shared, “We repeatedly prodded CAAN to demarcate the land and sign an agreement for land handover. But there was no noticeable progress besides removing a mound in eight months.”
A year back, the Cabinet meeting had decided to shift the current air fuel depot to the northern side of TIA. The initiatives were launched as per the long term plan forwarded under the aviation capacity upgrading project.
CAAN had allotted 60 ropanis of land in the golf course area of Nepali Army in Gauchar for shifting the air fuel depot, but the acquisition of land has witnessed hurdles. Depot chief Yadav expressed worry over failure to sign an agreement on land ownership transfer irrespective of repeated effort.
Logging and removal of some structures in the allotted area is yet to be carried out. Some 200 trees need logging and surface leveling. However, site engineer Man Bahadur Singh informed that leveling ground was nearly over.
In this regard, in response to a query put forth by RSS, Director General at TIA, Hansa Raj Pande, informed that process to hand over land for depot relocation was forwarded. “A proposal on writing off land tax has reached the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. After it is done, the handover of land ownership would be easy,” he added.
The aviation fuel depot at Sinamangal has the capacity to store 7,660 kiloletres of fuel. Currently, 400 kiloletres of air fuel is sold every day. There are eight tanks here owned by NOC.
NOC is the sole body to sell and distribute fuels in the country.
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Chair Nepal bats for modernizing agriculture
Kathmandu, June 29: Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has stressed the need for modernizing agricultural sector to boost productivity and make Nepal self-sufficient on foods.
Addressing an event organized by the All Nepal Farmers’ Federation on the occasion of National Paddy Plantation Day, Chairman Nepal viewed adoption of technology was imperative to modernize agriculture and to increase production.
Investment in the industrialization of agricultural sector is equally imperative, the former Prime Minister said, urging the government to pay heed to farmers’ needs including subsidies to them. Proper utilization of available natural resources also help reduce poverty, according to him.
The Chairman stated that modernization, commercialization, industrialization, and diversification of agriculture are urgency and these could be linked to nation’s broader developments- in industry, tourism, infrastructure and the energy fronts.
On a different note, the former Prime Minister expressed worry over growing opportunistic trend within the Communist Party recently, leading to deviation from the communist movement. His party would work together with political parties that share similar ideological perspective to protect the leftist movement and advance communist thought and welfare programmes, he informed.
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Nepal’s constitution guarantees citizens’ right to food: Minister Dr Rana
Kathmandu, June 29: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has reiterated Nepal’s commitment to ensuring its citizens’ right to food, highlighting constitutional provisions that guarantee this fundamental right.
Minister Rana said it while addressing the session on ‘nutrition and development in vulnerable states’ during the Ministerial Special Session of Forty-Fourth Session of Food and Agriculture Organisation themed ‘From Vulnerability to Resilience-Strengthening Food Security and Better Life in Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries’ held in Rome on Sunday.
“Nepal has recognised the right to food as a fundamental right and the laws on the right to food and food sovereignty have provided a legal basis for its implementation. In addition, the implementation of the Food Systems Transformation Strategic Plan 2022-2030 also provides further support for ensuring the right to food, ” Dr Rana shared before the world community.
Moreover, Nepal’s recent legislative developments, including Nepal’s Food Safety and Quality Act (2024) and the Food Safety and Quality Control Policy, aim to ensure safe and quality food through regulatory standards, lab surveillance, and consumer protection, she mentioned.
According to a press statement released by the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Rana said, “A separate consumer court was established to protect the rights of consumers, which is maintaining trust in the local food system and supporting the health of citizens and healthy food as their natural right.”
She further informed that Nepal had made a significant progress in the field of child health and nutrition over the past two decades. As she reported, the child stunting declined from 57 to 25 percent while underweight went down from 42 to 24 percent and child wasting from 15 to 8 percent. “Our Global Hunger Index (GHI) score has dropped from 37 in 2000 to 22.4 in 2024,” she said, adding, “These advancements are not just statistics but a reflection of strong political commitment, community engagement and activism and cross-sectoral coordination.”
She noted that programmes like vitamin ‘A’ supplementation, and the Golden 1000 Days Programme have reached millions of children across the country, significantly contributing to the reduction of child mortality rate and undernutrition. Awareness and behavior change campaigns are being scaled up through schools, media, and health services to promote healthy eating habits, while school curriculum-based nutrition education is helping shift food preferences toward fresh, local produce.
For better harnessing potential opportunities, the Minister called for a need to adequately develop access to AI, digital agriculture platforms, and modern science and technology in the agriculture and nutrition fields.
Climate change a serious threat
Dr Rana also identified climate change as a serious threat to Nepal’s agricultural production and livelihoods, citing challenges such as melting glaciers, irregular rainfall, extreme weather events, and climate-related disasters. She underscored the need for the increased international cooperation, access to financial resources, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing to include citizens in the common journey of nutrition and prosperity. There is an important role of international organisations like FAO and UNICEF in this effort, she reminded.
Stating that Nepal is consistently pursuing generation of greater consumer demand for healthy diets, she pointed to national strategies such as the National Nutrition Policy (2020), Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan II, which bring food-based interventions into health, education and agriculture.
In her address, she also explained the growing challenges like the migration of youth, which is depleting rural workforce, and human-wildlife conflict especially in the hilly and mountainous regions, posing a serious threat to livelihoods and food security.
“We need to protect and promote our rich agro-biodiversity, traditional knowledge and high-altitude crops. For this, we need targeted investment, technical assistance, modernisation of agricultural systems and access to advanced technologies such as AI,” she underscored.
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Early warning system to be made effective
Kathmandu, June 29: A meeting of the National Disaster Management Council held on Sunday decided to make the early warning system more effective after the weather forecast considering the risk of disasters.
A meeting of the Council held under the chair of Acting Prime Minister Prakashman Singh took this decision in view of possible risks following the continuous rain taking place in many parts of the country for the past couple of days.
As decided, vehicular movement will be restricted in the nighttime in the risky areas and provisions will be made effective for disseminating information to the locals to remain safe in the time and areas during the extremely heavy rain, disseminating information and weather bulletin through local FMs and social networking sites and making as well as ensuring provisions to effectively rescue the affected ones.
On the occasion, Acting PM Singh said that the stakeholder and agencies should leave no stone unturned in the preparedness efforts to safeguard the lives of citizens in the time of rain-induced disasters.
Singh stressed for effective implementation of early warning system adding that it was crucial to reduce the damages caused due to the disasters.
During the meeting, reporting was made from the officials of the Home Ministry, Defence Ministry, National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority and Department of Roads.
Likewise, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak shared that all three security agencies were kept in alert position considering the possible risks of disaster.
Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal said that all agencies are kept in alert position to tackle the crisis and impacts of disasters.
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AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Nepal defeats Laos
Kathmandu, June 29: Nepal thrashed to a 9-0 win over Laos in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Group in the game at the Bunyodkor Stadium of Uzbekistan on Sunday.
Captain Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’ contributed four goals for the team while Anita Basnet, Saru Limbu, Anita KC and Rashmi Kumari Ghising contributed one each goal.
Likewise, an own goal from Laos’s Saysamone Inthaphone two minutes from the end led to Laos further behind, the AFC said. Nepal led the game with a 2-0 in the first half. In the second half, Saru Limbu scored a goal in the second minute of the game.
With today’s win, Nepal has collected three points. This is Nepal’s 100th international game.
Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and Laos are there in Qualifiers Group F along with Nepal.
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FNJ RSS chapter honours SEE graduates
Kathmandu, June 29: The RSS chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has honoured the children of RSS staffs who passed the secondary education exams.
Brijan Karki, son of RSS employee, Purna Bahadur Karki, and Sakshyam Adhikari, son of reporter Narayan Adhikari, were honoured on the occasion.
Even the dahi chyura get-together was held on the occasion. At the programme, Central Chairperson of FNJ, Nirmala Sharma, appreciated the role RSS had played in Nepali media. FNJ is working untiringly for journalists’ rights, she reminded and hailed the programme RSS chapter organized to felicitate the SEE graduates.
Central Chairman of Press Union, Shiva Gaunle, observed that the event was encouraging to the family of working journalists.
RSS Chairman Dharmendra Jha said the dahi chyura gathering helps promote culture among new generation. Dahi chyura bears much significance in Maithili culture as well. He extended best wishes to the SEE graduates.
FNJ’s RSS chapter Chairman, Krishna Sapkota, informed that RSS chapter had begun the dahi chyura gathering and felicitation to SEE graduates since 2070BS. Even the get-together among journalists was added from this year as part of the annual event, he informed.
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Scientific methods must to increase paddy production: Minister Adhikari
Kathmandu, June 29: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari, has stated that scientific methods should be adopted to increase paddy production in Nepal.
At a programme organized by the Department of Agriculture to mark the 22nd National Paddy Plantation Day on Sunday, Minister Adhikari emphasized the need of increasing agricultural production so that national economy would be prosperous. Modernizing agriculture is government’s priority, so various programmes were launched for the welfare of farmers and making the agricultural profession more dignified.
Director General of the Department, Prakash Kumar Sanjel, viewed increased awareness among farmers on food security as part of reforms in the agricultural is need of hour. Paddy production largely contributes to food security, so promotion of climate-resilient varieties of rice is essential.
Various organizations like Agricultural Department, Crop Development, and Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Centre conduct exhibitions, informative programmes and spread messages through posters on paddy production.
The Department observes this day every year on Asar 15 with various programmes.
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Minister proposes to name Basic Level for office assistants to head constables in police
Kathmandu, June 29: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has proposed to name Basic Level for office assistants to head constables in Nepal Police Service.
At a meeting of State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Sunday, Minister said that Basic Level could be the better terminology to address the personnel from office assistants to head constables instead of the lower rank. They are the ones to be deployed in a large number in the field and there is a large number of constables and head constables in Nepal Police, Minister Lekhak added.
On the occasion, Minister Lekhak shared that the government was for bringing Police Act by giving more priorities to the personnel of basic level and their facilities.
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Rapid development ushers in new era in China’s new Xizang
Sharachchandra Bhandary /RSS
Lhasa (China), June 29: Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China, a programme on collaboration, partnership and experience exchange was recently organized here between the cities that have established sister city relations with various cities in China.
The programme, jointly organized by the Consulate General of Nepal here and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Xizang Autonomous Region, discussed the issue of further strengthening and deepening relations between the two countries. A friendly and cooperative relationship characterized mutual respect, understanding and support have been strengthened at the government and people’s level through various high-level exchanges and agreements since time immemorial.
The sister city relations, which began with the establishment of collaboration between Banepa Municipality and Shigatse Municipality in 1999, have entered into 25th year. In the past 25 years, sister relations have been established between Linchi-Pokhara, Lhasa-Kathmandu, Sannan-Bhaktapur, Karua-Jiri, Nakchu-Tokha and Shigatse-Bharatpur.
The programme, which was organized for the first time by including municipalities with sister cities, was participated by a delegation led by Dhanraj Acharya, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City. The delegation consisted of 21 participants, including representatives from the Bagmati Province Government, Kathmandu, Pokhara and Bharatpur Metropolitan Cities, and Dhulikhel, Banepa, Jiri, Tokha and Bhaktapur Municipalities. Representatives from Lhasa, Shigatse, Linzhi, Nakchu, Sannan, Karuo, Nagar and Ali Prefectures of Xizang Autonomous Region participated in the programme.
On the occasion, Vice Chairman of the Xizang Government Zhao Ping expressed his belief that the programme would add a new dimension to the friendly relations between China and Nepal and transform the close and cordial relations between the cities into development and prosperity.
Mayor Acharya said that the development assistance received from the Chinese side, as well as the empathy shown towards Nepal and Nepalis, were motivating for Nepal towards building a common future. Stating that Nepal can learn a lot from China’s development, he said that China has presented a vision that development goals can be achieved through political commitment.
Chief Secretary of Bagmati Province Bhupal Baral emphasized the need for cooperation between Nepal and the cities of Xizang Autonomous Region in the fields of tourism, culture, education, trade and technology.
Laxmi Prasad Niraula, Nepali Consul General based here expressed his commitment to make every effort to further strengthen relations with sister cities and expressed gratitude for the long-standing support of Xizang and the Chinese government in Nepal’s socio-economic development.
On that occasion, a letter of intent was also signed between Dhulikhel and Ali Prefecture to establish sister city relations. The Nepali participants also expressed their belief that through the mutual cooperation between the two countries, and especially the relations between sister cities, the relations between the peoples of Nepal and China will be further enhanced and more meaningful results will be achieved in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, at the friendly invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Foreign Affairs Department, a 15-member delegation comprising senior journalists and academia from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mongolia, Japan, the Russian Federation and Switzerland visited various places in Xinjiang Autonomous Region and learned about the socio-economic development rapidly taking place there.
Located in the southwestern part of China, most of the region, spread over an area of 1.2 million square kilometers, is located at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters. According to a government data released two years ago, this region, with a population of 3.6 million, is home to more than 50 ethnic groups, in addition to Tibetans. Here, ethnic groups including Han, Hui, Memba, Loba, Naxi, Nu, and Dulong are living in peace and harmony cooperating with each other.
Xizang, which is also home to the Dang and Sherpa communities, has been a part of China since ancient times, says Cheng Fong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs. “All these ethnic groups are beloved members of the big Chinese family. The 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012 decided to lead the Xinjiang Autonomous Region along with the rest of the country on the journey of prosperity and modernization. With the strategic vision of Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, we will promote people-centered development and revitalize China on the world stage. We attach great importance to the development of Xinjiang,” he said.
According to Deputy Director General Cheng, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, implementing socialism with Chinese characteristics and the system of regional ethnic autonomy, we will lead Xinjiang into a new era of development, safeguard national unification and strengthen ethnic unity, bring prosperity to Xinjiang and its people, unite them and lay a solid foundation for the long-term development of the entire region. It is to improve people’s lives and strengthen their unity in socio-economic development, and prioritize ecological and environmental protection.
The China Xizang Trans-Himalayan Forum of Entrepreneurs was held in Linzhi, the second largest city of the region, on Saturday to establish a unique identity for Xizang and tell and showcase the developments that took place in the region over the past 60 years to the international community. This forum for international and regional cooperation discussed various aspects of entrepreneurship, development, commerce and trade.
At the conference jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Foreign Affairs Department of Xizang Autonomous Region, Nepali Ambassador to China Krishna Prasad Oli expressed gratitude for the continuous support received from the Chinese government in Nepal’s development efforts and said that such conferences would help Nepal and other least developed countries on the path of progress and learn from Chinese experience.
Established as the Trans-Himalayan Forum in 2018, the forum has organized four conferences so far. More than 400 people, including academia, political leaders, diplomats and members of civil society, from more than 20 international cooperation organizations from 50 countries, have participated. The Xizang government has stated that the forum aims to unite the nations of the Trans-Himalayan region while maintaining ecological balance and preserving culture.
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PM Oli arrives in Madrid
Madrid (Spain), June 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli arrived here in course of attending the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations.
Nepali Ambassador to Spain, Shanil Nepal, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, and senior officers of the Foreign Ministry of Spain, welcomed Prime Minister Oli at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport here.
The PM Oli led Nepali delegation is scheduled to reach Seville, the conference venue, this evening.
Meanwhile, PM Oli and Tanzanian Vice President, Dr Phillip Mpango, held a meeting earlier this morning.
The meeting was held at Hamad International Airport, Doha, of Qatar in course of heading towards official visit to Spain to attend the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations.
On the occasion, they discussed the various dimensions of mutual relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Oli’s Principal Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, among other officials in the PM’s entourage was present on the occasion.
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President Paudel participates in paddy transplanting ceremony
Kathmandu, June 29: A rice planting ceremony has been organized at the President House, Shital Niwas to commemorate the National Paddy Day today.
President Ramchandra Paudel and First Lady Sabita Paudel also participated in the paddy transplantation ceremony.
Inaugurating the rice planting on the occasion, the Head of the State spoke on the need of modernizing and commercializing the country’s agriculture.
He said that he participated symbolically in the plantation to promote a culture of respect for all kinds of labor, including agriculture, and to encourage rice production.
The President emphasized that farmers, who are engaged in agriculture and are striving to introduce it as a pillar of employment, should be honoured as food producers.
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Butwal-Narayangadh road completely blocked
Madhyabindu (Nawalparasi), June 29: The Butwal- Narayangadh road section is completely blocked due to flooding in the river located on the alternative route in the Dumkibas area of Nawalpur (Bardghat Susta East).
After the flood, traffic has completely stopped on the diversion operated for cargo vehicles and also on the alternative road used for small and passenger vehicles at Binayi Khola located in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality-1, said Superintendent of Police Yadav Dhakal at the District Police Office Nawalparasi (Bardghat Susta East).
“Currently, the traffic has been stopped at the diversion and along the alternative route for this road section via Hongsi Gate and Jyamire, and the vehicles parked at a safe place,” he said.
According to him, due to the rain, the water level in the Kharange rivulet in Binayi Triveni-3 has increased, which has completely blocked the alternative route.
“A situation has arisen in the Daunne Dumkibas section of this road where no vehicles can pass,” said Superintendent Dhakal.
With the continuous rain, the temporary diversion constructed over the Binayi rivulet under the East-West Highway has been frequently washed away due to the increased water flow in the rivulet.
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Government committed to promoting agricultural production: Minister Adhikari
Patan (Lalitpur), June 29: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, has said the government is committed to delivering for the cause of farmers.
Addressing the 22nd National Paddy Day and Paddy Transplantation Festival, 2082 BS organised at the National Seed Science Technology Research Center today, the Minister pledged that the State will give priority to farmers’ issues despite the limited resources.
The programme is organized by the Centre for Crop Development and Agro Bio-diversity Conservation, the Department of Agriculture; National Farmers’ Commission and the National Agricultural Research Council.
The Day was observed with the theme of ‘Intensification in Rice Crops: Food Security and Self-Reliance’.
“Until we focus on production, the prosperity of the nation will not be possible,” he said, emphasizing the need to promote all varieties of rice available in the country to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to this goal. The agriculture minister further promised to end the situation forcing farmers to cry for easy access to fertilizer.
Also speaking on the occasion, President of Agriculture, Cooperative and Natural Resources Development Committee, Kusum Thapa, said that the parliamentary committee will proceed with policy dialogue for the urgency of food-sufficiency in the country and give necessary instructions to the government towards that end.
Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Deepak Kumar Kharal called for collective efforts to replace the agriculture imports. As he said, the land utilization policy issued by the government has led to the transformation of arable land to a residential area, underlining the need of addressing the issue.
Stating that paddy has been integral part of human lifestyle and culture, Executive Director of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Krishna Prasad Timsina, added that the NARC has been developing different varieties of rice by resolving climate change related problems.
Preparation was underway to make Nepal self-sufficient on rice by 2030, shared Timsina. Similarly, Dayaram Maramachi, who is honoured with this year’s President Outstanding Farmer Award, stressed the need of farmer-friendly policy arrangement and programmes as well as increase food self-sufficiency.
Presenting a working paper on Self-sufficiency on paddy, rice, Joint-Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ram Krishna Shrestha, said the ten countries producing most rice in the world are in Asia. Nepal’s self-sufficiency in rice production is declining in recent period, he argued.
Likewise, Chief of Centre for Crop Development and Agro Bio-diversity Conservation, Keshav Devkota, shed light on the objective of paddy plantation, sharing that Asar 15 is celebrated as the National Paddy Day every year across the country since 2061 BS with an objective of keeping the morale of farmers high and respecting their labour.
Country’s major food crop, rice has significant role in food security. Though two-types of paddy – monsoon paddy and spring paddy, is planted in Nepal, spring paddy is planted on only around seven percent of the total area under paddy cultivation. It was shared that there was a strong possibility of making Nepal self-sufficient on food and strengthening food security by intensifying rice cultivation through expansion of areas for spring paddy cultivation.
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Vice President Yadav’s message on National Paddy Day
Kathmandu, June 29: Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav has pointed out the need of increasing investment on irrigation, seeds, fertilizer and mechanization by transforming paddy cultivation from traditional way to modern technology.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of 22nd National Paddy Day today, Vice-President Yadav shared that it was necessary to make the backbone of food security further strong by moving ahead with determination towards the journey of establishment of sustainable agro system.
He argued, “It is equally necessary to promote climate-friendly agricultural work giving priority to the use of climate adaptation seeds, irrigation facility and organic fertilizer in order to reduce climate change impacts.”
“It is necessary to stop the import of rice worth billions of rupees annually by moving ahead with a strategy of reducing the import of paddy”, reads the message.This Day is considered as a symbol of determination towards development and modernization of advanced agro system with a target of building a self-reliant and prosperous Nepal.
The day also encourage all Nepalis to make agro sector prosperous, production oriented and climate adaptation respecting skills, continuous labour and patience of farmers.
The Vice-President argued that adopting the climate-change, production oriented and inclusive agro system was needed by using indigenous varieties of paddy and improved technology.
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Chief Minister Singh promises improvement of citizens’ living standard through agriculture
Janakapurdham, June 29: Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Satish Kumar Singh, has said the province government is committed to improving the living standard of the people of Madhesh through modernization of agriculture.
Extending his best wishes to the province citizens on the occasion of the National Paddy Day today, the Chief Minister promised to take measures for the modernization of agricultural sector.
As he said, the Madhesh has acknowledged agriculture as a backbone of economy and it has initiated a long-term campaign “Madhesh will feed the nation”. The campaign is themed “Production in the Madhesh: Expansion in the Country,” according to him.
The Chief Minister said the reduction in imports, promotion of exports with a focus on the growth of agro-products are the strategies of the province government.
According to him, “two rice crops promotion programme’ has been implemented in Madhesh to promote the rice production.
The improvement in soil fertility, self-reliance in irrigation, modernization of agriculture, and commercialization of agriculture are the top priorities of the government, he added.
As he said, the province government is committed to ensuring the sustainable development of rice cultivation by mitigating the impacts of climate change through the research, development, and promotion of climate-friendly technologies.
He further added the government is constantly working to improve the living standards of farmers by expanding advanced farming systems and ensuring easy access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation facilities, wishing that “May National Rice Day inspire and unite us all in our shared commitment to achieving self-reliance in food security.”
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Minister Dahal stresses on regional collaboration for landlocked countries’ access to sea
Kathmandu, June 29: Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, emphasized the need for regional cooperation for the development of landlocked countries like Nepal.
Addressing the ‘Global Transport Connectivity Forum’ held in Istanbul, Turkey, he emphasized that landlocked countries should also establish access to the sea.
In his statement on the topic of ‘Strategic Opportunities for Regional Development through Landlocked to Landlinked Initiatives’ at the event, Minister Dahal expressed the view that if landlocked countries are successful in maintaining connectivity through transport infrastructure, they can also achieve access to the sea.
“All landlocked countries, including Nepal, need to engage in infrastructure development in collaboration with the international community,” Minister Dahal said and emphasized the need for regional cooperation to provide landlocked countries like Nepal with access to the sea through ‘connectivity’ (road networks and infrastructure).
The Transport Minister said it is necessary to focus on investing not only in roads, railways, and ports but also in collaboration, trust, and a shared vision for the development of landlocked countries into land-linked ones, according to Minister Dahal’s Secretariat.
During his address, he stated that priority has been given to the construction of strategic corridor connecting neighboring countries.
Referring to Nepal as a country vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes, Minister Dahal said that despite having varied geographical features such as mountains, hills, the Chure range, and the Terai, the risk remains high due to weak soil and mixed rock structures.
Minister Dahal stated that due to the rapid flow of the snow-fed rivers in the Himalayan regions, their speed in the hilly areas and the retention of that velocity even upon reaching the plains, Nepal suffers significant damage from floods and landslides every year.
Such geographical conditions and characteristics have posed challenges to the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure in Nepal, the Minister added.
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Lawmakers raise various contemporary issues in NA session today
Kathmandu, June 29: Members of the National Assembly (NA), the upper house of the Federal Parliament have called for ensuring safe, orderly, and decent foreign employment. They also urged the government to address the growing threat of snakebites and to expedite the construction of physical infrastructure.
Speaking during zero hour in today’s NA session, Indira Devi Gautam of the CPN (UML) urged the government to curb fraudulent activities in the name of foreign employment. She raised issues such as lack of treatment and compensation for cases of injuries in the course of foreign employment, and difficulties in repatriating the bodies of workers who die abroad. Gautam stressed the need for stronger government intervention to ensure the safety and rights of Nepalis working overseas.
Tulasha Kumari Dahal voiced concerns over the rising number of snakebite cases in the Terai region. She urged the mass to adopt preventive measures and called on the government to ensure accessible and timely treatment for victims.
Maya Prasad Sharma of the CPN (Maoist Centre) expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in bridge construction along the Chhinchu-Jajarkot-Dolpa road, urging authorities to speed up the development process.
Sumitra BC of the CPN (UML) welcomed the improvement in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) results and emphasized the need for increased investment in the education sector.
Meanwhile, two budget-related bills were tabled in the session. NA Secretary Surendra Aryal presented the Finance Bill, 2082 BS and the Bill to Raise Public Debt, 2082 BS, along with messages from the House of Representatives (HoR).
NA Chair Narayana Prasad Dahal informed the House about the reshuffling of members in thematic committees. NA member Narayan Kaji Shrestha has been transferred from the Legislation Management Committee to the Economic, Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee, while Jhakku Prasad Subedi has been moved from the Development, Economic and Good Governance Committee to the Legislation Management Committee. The meeting endorsed these changes.
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PHC conducts hearing on two proposed justices
Kathmandu, June 29: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has conducted hearing of two proposed justices of the Supreme Court today.
The Committee conducted the hearing of Senior Advocate Megh Raj Pokharel and Chief Judge of High Court Janakpur, Shreekanta Poudel.
Stating that there is a big gap between the theory and practical exercise, committee member Janardan Sharma shared the reality that development construction activities were affected while delivering decision by judiciary on the cases against the principle of separation of powers.
Similarly, another member Shyam Kumar Ghimire commented that a tendency of keeping the political cases aside has increased.
Likewise, committee members—Mahesh Kumar Bartaula, Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, Jag Prasad Sharma, Leela Shrestha and Sunita Baral raised various questions to the proposed justices.
They stressed that justices should present themselves strongly to maintain good governance in the judiciary.
A meeting of the Judicial Council held on June 13 had recommended Senior Advocate Pokharel, Judge Poudel and another Judge Shanti Singh Thapa for parliamentary hearing.
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HoR meeting: ‘Government should be accountable to the parliament’
Kathmandu, June 29: In today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, the MPs have emphasized that the government should be accountable to the parliament.
Seeking time in the meeting, MP Amanlal Modi of the CPN (Maoist Centre) said, “We MPs will raise public issues in the House during zero hour and special time, but the government has not responded to the issues raised in Parliament. I had drawn the government’s attention to the poor condition of the Postal Highway, but the government has not taken it seriously.”
Nepali Congress MP Dr. Chandra Bhandari said that the road from Ruru in Gulmi to the district headquarters Tamghas could not be improved due to a lack of policy decisions.
“This road is perilous. During the rainy season, there is a risk of landslides, and the problem of floods and landslides is increasing due to the lack of bridge construction in various places in Gulmi. I draw the government’s serious attention to this,” he said.
CPN (Maoist Centre) MP Ranendra Barali said, “Ajay Mahara, a youth from Siraha district, was found dead yesterday morning. It is the government’s responsibility to find the murderer, and I demand the government to conduct an immediate investigation and bring Mahara’s murderer to justice.”
Member of Parliament Prabhu Sah of the Aam Janata Party has demanded that the activities taking place in Gaushala of Pashupati area should be transparent.
Krisna Kumar Shrestha, a member of the CPN (Unified Socialist), drew the government’s attention, stating that the construction of a bridge over the Dudhara River on the road from Pathlaiya to Nijgadh on the East-West Highway, which has been stalled for about six years, has still not been constructed, causing great deal of inconvenience to the people.
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It is necessary to reduce arrears to maintain financial discipline: Speaker Ghimire
Kathmandu, June 29: Emphasis has been laid that constitutional bodies, three-tier governments and public organisations should conduct regular audits and maintain financial discipline by reducing arrears.
Similarly, it was stressed that clearance of arrears should be kept in priority in order to maintain financial discipline.
At a programme organised here today on the occasion of 67th anniversary of the Office of the Auditor General, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, shared that the Office of the Auditor General has been playing significant role for frugality, efficiency and effectiveness in government bodies.
He also asked the bodies concerned to be more serious for the utilization of public means and resources and maintain financial discipline through audit.
“All bodies should conduct their performance responsibly, take necessary efforts for capacity building of employees and awareness, to maintain institutional good governance as well as suggestions of the Office of the Auditor Generals should be implemented effectively in order to reduce arrears,” Speaker Ghimire mentioned.
Similarly, President of Public Accounts Committee, Rishikesh Pokharel pointed out the need of maintaining discipline in the use of public resources.
He added, “The PAC alone could not resolve arrears problems. All concerned offices should be responsible for the same.”
Arrears audit, risk-based auditing, performance and special audits, environmental audit, IT audit, and auditing of organized institutions, are among the key focus areas of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG). An annual audit calendar has been published to guide these activities.
According to the 62nd Annual Report (2082 BS) of the OAG, the total arrears of government offices and institutions at the federal, provincial, and local levels have exceeded Rs 733 billion. This represents a 9.45 percent increase in periodic arrears compared to the previous fiscal year.
In addition, arrears comprising additional audit arrears, revenue arrears, and recoverable foreign grants and loans amount to Rs 551 billion. This brings the total outstanding arrears to Rs 1.284 trillion.
On this occasion, Mahabharat Rural Municipality of Kavrepalanchok district was honored for successfully maintaining zero arrears.
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HoR session today to endorse Civil Service Bill
Kathmandu, June 29: Both the Houses of the Federal parliament are scheduled to have their meetings today.
The House of Representatives (HoR) session is scheduled to take place at 1.00 pm Sunday in the New Baneswor-based Federal Parliament building.
In today’s session, there is an agenda to pass the Civil Service Bill.
There have been complaints galore over the complications evolving in the implementation of the administrative federalism despite the country usurping to federal structure.
It may be noted that the agenda of endorsing the bill in the HoR session scheduled for last June 17 was put on hold in the eleventh hour.
As per the agenda set for today, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Rajkumar Gupta will present a proposal seeking deliberations on the Federal Civil Service Bill, 2080 along with the report of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee.
The bill will be endorsed after the lawmakers put their views on the proposal. Once the bill will get endorsed from the HoR, it will be sent to the National Assembly.
According to the due process, the Speaker will certify the bill after the Upper House passes it and returns to the Lower House. The bill then will be presented to the President following certification from the Speaker and will come to effect after the authentication from the Head of the State.
The Upper House is also scheduled to have a meeting today. In the session set to take place at 12.15 pm, there is a scheduled agenda for a group discussion on different headings of 14 ministries under the Appropriation Bill, 2082.
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Heavy rainfall likely in some places of four provinces
Kathmandu, June 29: The weather this afternoon will remain partly to fully cloudy across the country due to the influence of monsoon winds.
There is a chance of light to moderate rainfall, along with thunder and lightning in some areas of the hilly regions, including Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as in some other areas, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.
There is a chance of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in one or two places in some areas of Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces and in one or two places in the hilly regions of other provinces. The Division has predicted light to moderate rainfall and snowfall in some areas of the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country. According to the weather forecasting bulletin, it will remain partly to fully cloudy across the country tonight.
There is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall with thunder and lightning in many places of the hilly regions, including Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as in some other areas.
In one or two places in Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as in hilly areas of other provinces, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
There is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall in some areas of the high hilly and mountainous regions of the country, the Division informed.
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PM’s message on National Paddy Day
Kathmandu, June 29: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said the entire agriculture sector should be advanced to the path of boosting production through the use of modern technologies.
In his message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Paddy Day today, the Prime Minister noted, “Today is Asar 15 –a festival to acknowledge our production and diligence. The paddy day represents our time-honoured tradition of paddy plantation, where the fragrance of life is realized with soil; a worship of sweat with water and a dream of yielding rice grains. En though I am outside the country now, memories of planting paddy since childhood have hovered my mind”.
Prime Minister Oli in his message noted that the government has introduced a programme for agricultural modernization to increase production through the use of modern techniques and technologies.
The message stated, “Let us engage our efforts to boost production by devising modern and technology-intensive measures in agriculture. My best wishes to one and all on Asar 15 (the Paddy Day), the day for enjoying yogurt and beaten rice”.
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President extends best wishes on National Paddy Day
Kathmandu, June 29: President Ramchandra Paudel has pointed out the need of developing and expanding modern agriculture technology by engaging labour force and other human capital within the country.
In his message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Paddy Day today, President Paudel called for expanding food technology associated to paddy noting it was a matter of concern for gradual increment in the import of paddy and rice every year.
President Paudel underlined the need of concentrating our efforts towards becoming self-reliant in paddy production with the promotion of culture of labour by ending the state of keeping land uncultivated.
“May the Day today encourage us to work for reducing import, assuring food security and promoting the culture of respecting agriculture labour by adopting climate-smart technology in paddy yielding”, the message reds.
The National Paddy Day is being marked this year with the ideal theme ‘Intensity in Paddy Production: Food Security and Self-reliance’.
The Constitution has guaranteed every citizens’ right to food, President Paudel said, highlighting the importance of promoting paddy production for the effective implementation of the fundamental right that is to save lives from food crisis.
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Three persons, including father and daughter die in a motorbike accident
Itahari (Sunsari), June 29: Three persons, including father and daughter died and two others sustained critical injuries in a motorbike accident on Chatara-Kanchhi Chowk road section in Ramdhuni Municiplaity-7 of Sunsari.
The accident occurred when a motorcycle (Ko 33 Pa 9605) en route to Kalabanzar from Chatra-Kanchhi Chowk collided with another motorcycle (Prades 1-02-056 Pa 5864) from the opposite direction.
The deceased have been identified as 34-year-old Inarchan Chaudhary, his nine-year-old son Pranish, and another motorcycle rider, 51-year-old Bindhu Yadav.
According to the District Police Office, the injured were rushed to the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), where they were pronounced died during treatment.
In the accident, Inarchan Chaudhary’s 32-year-old wife Pratisha and 36-year-old Ramesh Chaudhary of Itahari-7 were critically wounded.
The police informed that they are undergoing treatment in the Dharan-based BPKIHS.
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