- Sunday, 9 November 2025
Kathmandu, July 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli encouraged courageous and optimistic young entrepreneurs to take the lead in fulfilling the national aspirations of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’.
PM Oli said so at a programme titled ‘Startup Entrepreneurs with PM’ organized by the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute at the PM’s official residence, Baluwatar, today.
Oli urged them to move forward with optimism and a vision of a developed country as well as with ‘We can do!’ attitude.
“We will be graduating into developing country status in 2026. After that we will be a developing country. No one will come and build our nation. We have to do it ourselves,” asserted the septuagenarian leader.
He viewed that through the use of technology, innovation and practical application, we can move towards modernization and optimum production. “If we are committed to propel it, we can do. Nepal will rise,” said the Head of the Government.
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Inclusive approach demanded in local level policy-making
Siraha, July 31: Stakeholders have emphasized the need to ensure participation of marginalized community in the policy-making process at local level.
At a discussion organized by the Dalit Development Forum in Siraha today, participants univocally called for meaningful participation of such communities in the formulation of policies, programmes and budget at local level.
Speaking at the programme, Golbazar Municipality Mayor Shyam Kumar Shrestha asserted it necessary to devise a mechanism that incorporates voices of all social groups while formulating policies at local level.
“We must exercise inclusivity in action so as to put an end to the tendency of leaving the marginalized communities without representation. Facts, fairness and justice should be prioritized while formulating policy. Our municipality is committed to ensure representation and inclusion of all communities,” the mayor reaffirmed.
Likewise, Bishendra Shah, chairperson of ward 12, viewed that inclusivity should be practiced from ward level.
Forum’s Secretary for Siraha chapter Ramchandra Mahara shared that the programme was organized to promote the active participation of marginalized communities, particularly Dalit community, in policy-making.
Stating that inclusivity should go beyond the policy, he underscored its implementation in practice.
Similarly, Bridika Century, Coordinator of ‘Dalit Lives Matter’ campaign argued that the presence of the Dalit community in the policy-making level is essential for their advancement in the society.
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Responsibilities allocated for preparation of UML statute convention
Kathmandu, July 31: CPN (UML) has allocated responsibilities for the management of its second statute convention to be held in September.
Responsibilities have been entrusted to the central leaders to make the convention a success, informed UML central office secretary Dr Bhishma Adhikari.
According to him, the meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Secretary General Shankar Pokhrel assigned the organizational department to determine the number of representatives for the convention.
Similarly, the responsibility for the management of health has been assigned to Krishna Gopal Shrestha, the head of the health and population department.
Likewise, the responsibility for volunteer mobilization has been assigned to Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, the coordinator of the people’s organization, and the management of the secretariat and food has been assigned to Dr. Adhikari, the office secretary, it is informed.
The responsibility for the promotion of the general convention has been given to Rajendra Gautam, the head of the Promotion and Publication Department, while central member Hemraj Rai will handle the welcome dance and various cultural programmes,.
As informed, central member Binod Shrestha will take charge of transportation and platform management affairs.
Delegates of the general convention will have to arrange their own accommodation, according to the decision. If delegates are unable to arrange accommodation on their own, the relevant district or provincial contact coordination committee shall be responsible for the management.
Leader Lalbabu Pandit has been entrusted with the responsibility of the department for this.
A total of 2,279 delegates have been designated for the party’s second statutory general convention, which will take place on September 5-7 at the Sunrise Hall in Godawari, Lalitpur.
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11- Parliament power hinges on digital access and public trust: Speaker
Kathmandu, July 31: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said power of the parliament rests on digital access and public trust.
He said this in the ‘Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments’ organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland on July 29-31 today.
Delivering his remarks on the topic ‘What will be the role of parliamentarians in shaping our digital future?’, Ghimire noted, “The strength of the parliament today is not merely in the papers but rests on digital access and public trust”.
Highlighting the need of increasing budget in the technology sector, he said it has been an utmost importance to assure resource in digital infrastructure, cyber security, internet literacy and data protection.
He argued that the parliament should be developed as a leading institution rather than keeping itself behind in the era of digital transformation.
“The parliamentarians have been successful in straightly holding dialogue with the citizens and receive their responses through social networking sites and digital media, as well as reflect the people’s mandate in policy formulation”, he shared.
“However, the challenge of misusing technology for spreading misinformation and propaganda are on the rise. Parliaments have the responsibility to promote digital literacy along with the use of technology”, Ghimire mentioned.
Speaker Ghimire expressed confidence that parliaments can make their operations more effective by practicing technologies like machine learning, data centers, digitization, and speech-to-text technology, and that such technologies will strengthen the relationship between the parliament and the public.
“I would like to inform that a study is being conducted on the use of artificial intelligence in legislative management in the federal parliament of Nepal”, the Speaker shared, adding, “We are working on the artificial intelligence bill and the social media bill in the country.
He informed that digital technology has provided an important opportunity to enhance the transparency, efficiency, and public participation in the functioning of the parliament.
Technologies like online broadcasting, e-parliament systems, digital records, and electronic voting systems have contributed to the effective operations of the parliament.
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Personal matters should not influence party organisation: Arzu Deuba
Gandaki, July 31: Nepali Congress (NC) central member and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, has said that intra-party misunderstanding is growing over personal matters.
Addressing a meeting of party cadres organized by the NC Kaski in Pokhara today, the leader stated that intra-party competition, though expected in every political organization, should never become a cause for rifts within the party.
“The party should not be used as a platform for fulfilling personal goals and ambition. It is the space for delivering the cause of the nation and society, instead,” she asserted.
The leader also highlighted the ‘incomparable’ roles played by party founding leaders including BP Koirala, Ganeshman Singh, and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai for strengthening and institutionalizing the party. She urged all party leaders to follow in the footsteps of such party ‘legends’.
She also expressed confidence that the party will become stronger and more united following its upcoming 15th General Convention.
NC Gandaki Province President Shukraraj Sharma echoed the need to adhere to the norms and values of the party, democracy, and socialism.
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PM meets with leaders from leaders from major coalition partners
Kathmandu, July 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today held discussions with the leaders from two major ruling partners, the Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML).
The Prime Minister who also serves as the UML Chair held the meetings at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Baluwatar.
It was attended by NC President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, NC Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, UML Vice Chair and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, NC leader and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and the Prime Minister’s chief advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal.
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Women Minister promises enforcement of CEDAW Committee recommendations
Kathmandu, July 31: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Nawal Kishore Sah Sudi, has reiterated the government’s commitment to implement recommendations of Convention on the Elimination of All Sorts of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW) Committee for Nepal.
During a discussion oragnised here today by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) on the Committee recommendations for Nepal, the Minister argued that the government’s policies and programmes for the current fiscal year are aligned with the CEDAW conclusions for Nepal as they aim to further empowerment of women.
The budget has been allocated for the enforcement of CEDAW recommended actions and the lately registered bills relating to the citizenship, children, anti-human trafficking and the operation of social networking also stress on the elimination of discriminations and violence against women, the Minister argued.
Stating that the Ministry has played coordinating role for preparing a four-year roadmap for the effective and systematic implementation of the CEDAW Committee recommendations, he said they will be enforced once the roadmap comes into effect.
According to the Minister, conclusions, comments, and recommendations for the implementation of CEDAW are presently being translated into Nepali languages.
He also expressed the government commitments to promoting equal opportunities, rights, and legal protections for women. “Nepal has achieved a significant progress regarding the journey towards gender equality, and the ministry is implementing measures for further accomplishments.”
Nepal has lately submitted its seventh periodic report to the CEDAW Committee, highlighting progress it has made so far in the areas women rights, women empowerment, and minimization of violence.
As the Minister acknowledged, despite legal and policy reforms, the effective implementation of policies and legal instruments towards the advancement of women rights is still a major public concern for Nepal.
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16- NEJA launches fundraising campaign for ailing journalist Wagle
Kathmandu, July 31: The Nepal America Journalists’ Association (NEJA) has launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe.com, appealing for financial assistance for the treatment of its lifetime member, Jivanta Wagle.
Wagle is currently undergoing treatment at Walnut Creek Medical Center in California, US after a successful brain tumor surgery on July 7.
Through social media platforms, NEJA has urged the public to support the campaign by sharing it widely to reach more potential contributors.
According to NEJA General Secretary Ishwori Neupane, Wagle is currently being fed only liquids through a feeding tube, and the medical team reports that it is uncertain about the possibility of his full recovery.
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17- 35-year-old arrested for alleged involvement in killing of a teenage girl
Mahendranagar (Dhanusha), July 31: Police here arrested a person on the charge of his involvement in the killing of a 15-year-old girl.
The arrested is Rambabu Shah, 35, of Ichhapur of Kshireshwornath municipality-9. He was apprehended late night and presented before media today.
Anjali Kumari Yadav from Bateshwor rural municipality-5 in Dhanusa was murdered at her rented room at Kataiyachauri of Janakpurdham submetropolis-4 on Monday.
Police confirmed that prior to this, Yadav had spent a five-year jail term for murdering his spouse. He was released some five years ago.
Anjali’s mother and another 14-year-old girl have been injured in the attack and are being treated in the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Police are further investigating the case, it has been said.
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18- More than 1,500 houses insured in Jumla
Jumla, July 31: More than 1,500 disaster-prone houses have been insured in Sinja rural municipality of Jumla district under the disaster risk insurance programme.
A two-member team mobilized by the rural municipality surveyed the houses across all six wards of the rural municipality and insured those houses.
Purna Prasad Dhital, Chairperson of rural municipality, shared that 1,545 houses were insured as part of the programme approved by the Ministry for Internal Affairs and Law of the Karnali Province government for the current fiscal year.
Chairperson Dhital shared that Sinja rural municipality was selected for the insurance scheme after it completed the process according to the prescribe criteria.
It may be noted that a procedure related to implementation of house insurance programme was endorsed by the cabinet meeting of the Karnali province government on February 25 this year.
The Ministry will cover the insurance premiums based on the risk assessments, with a maximum coverage of Rs 2.3 million per house.
Once insured, the families affected by disasters such as earthquake, fire, flood, inundation and windstorms among others will receive compensation.
The provincial government will cover insurance cost for one house per family. The provincial government has allocated Rs 47.5 million for house insurance in the current fiscal year, he said.
So far, the Karnali Province government has provided disaster insurance for 16,000 disaster-prone houses with the total coverage of Rs 11.5 billion, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law.
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19- ‘NHRC supports making govt accountable and responsible’
Patan (Lalitpur), July 31: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Top Bahadur Magar said that the Commission helps making the government accountable and responsible.
Chairperson Magar delivered the statement at a programme organized to hand over the responsibilities, including the report and documents of the 16th Human Rights National Assembly to the 17th Human Rights National Assembly Organizing Committee.
“There is still a lot to be done in the area of human rights,” viewed Magar emphasizing the need to change the mindset to end menstrual discriminations.
He also drew attention towards abolishing child marriage, addressing the concerns of senior citizens and take initiatives for climate justice.
Similarly, NHRC member Mihir Thakur remarked that although Nepal is ahead in principle compared to the world in terms of human rights, it still lagged behind its practical application and implementation.
He thus called for collective efforts for protection and promotion of human rights.
Likewise, another member Lily Thapa expressed her pride that women had the opportunity to lead the 17th National Human Rights Assembly. She urged the human rights related organizations to incorporate the works and action-plans of the Assembly within the framework of the NHRC.
Secretary Murari Kharel advised that issues raised or discussed upto the 16th Human Rights National Assembly should be summarized and presented to the NHRC for it to review and offer feedbacks.
Charan Prasai, Founder of the Human Rights National Assembly, said that the Assembly was being institutionalized. He added that the Assembly was being created as a broader platform to raise voices for human rights by uniting those who advocate for it.
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20- Govt to accept grant for emergency reconstruction of BP Highway
Kathmandu, July 31: The government has decided to accept a grant assistance of 2.8 billion Japanese Yen from the government of Japan for emergency restoration of the BP Highway damaged by the flood.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on July 28 agreed on this decision including other various decisions which were unveiled here today through a press conference by Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.
Similarly, the government has also agreed to accept concessional loan assistance equivalent to approximately Rs 18.92 billion from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group for the implementation of third phase of the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project.
Likewise, as per the Cabinet decision, the government will entertain concessional loan assistance of USD 120 million (approximately Rs 16.74 billion) that includes USD 86.7 million of shorter maturity loan of 33.3 million of a concessional loan from the IDA of the World Bank Group for the Power Distribution Strengthening Programme (PDSIP).
The meeting also agreed to accept of a grant of Euro 20 million from the Government of Germany for the same programme.
Similarly, the meeting decided to endorse the ‘Letter of Exchange’ (LoE) to amend the Protocol of the Nepal–India Transit Treaty, 2023, and to authorize a government representative to sign the document on its behalf. As per the meeting agreement, Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka is set to attend the ‘National Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower’ scheduled to take place on September 8-10 in Paris of France.
The government has decided to allow Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Parashwar Dhungana to represent Nepal at the second session of the preparatory commission of the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which will be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 18-29 August 2025.
Likewise, the government has decided to promote and appoint Man Bahadur Karki, the Associate Registrar of the Supreme Court, to the post of Registrar in the gazetted special category of judicial service as per the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
Simialrly, the cabinet decided to promote and appoint SC’s Registrar Bimal Paudel to the position of Chief Registrar in the gazetted special category of Nepal Judicial Service.
According to the government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, a decision has been made to grant permission for the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Gokarnamani Duwadi to participate in the ‘Care for South Asia Project Completion and Dissemination Workshop’ held in Bangkok, Thailand on July 29-31.
Similarly, it has been decided to form a Nepali delegation to participate in the ‘Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries’ (LLDC-3) under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during an official visit to Turkmenistan from August 3-8.
The government has decided to appoint Dhrubaraj Bhattarai (Tanahun) as the Registrar of the Nepal Engineering Council.
The government has decided to grant theoretical approval for the draft bill to amend and integrate the national youth-related laws.
Also, the government has made a decision to exempt salutation costs levied in 97 mountains which have been opened for climbing activities in Karnali Province and Sudurpashchim Province.
The cabinet has decided to appoint Dr Ujjwal Chalise as the Executive Director of Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital Development Committee.
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21- Prime Minister launches ‘FIFA Football for Schools’ campaign
Kathmandu, July 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma inaugurated the ‘FIFA Football for Schools’ campaign today. During the inaugural ceremony organized by the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) at the Dashrath Stadium Kathmandu, the Prime Minister said the government accorded priority to the further development of sports sector.
He also announced to build an advanced stadium in Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur. It is said that under the campaign around 1,000 school students will be freely provided with football besides specialized training to school teachers and football team coaches.
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22- Govt. committed to ensuring right to food as basic right: Minister Adhikari
Kathmandu, July 31: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari said that the government is committed to ensuring the right to food as a fundamental rights as a welfare state.
Addressing an inaugural session and ministerial roundtable of the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from July 27-29, Minister Adhikari asserted that the right to food has been enshrined as a fundamental right by the Nepal’s Constitution. The Minister also apprised the delegates of the summit that the government of Nepal has issued Food Rights and Sovereignty Act and related regulations to enact the Right to Food.
Minister Adhikari noted, “It is not only a legal provision but also a political and ethical responsibility which will guide the national efforts.” He emphasized the need for a small economy like Nepal to develop local food system and strengthen it to tackle the problems emanating from climate-related vulnerabilities, fragile mountainous terrain, degraded ecosystem, loss of biodiversity, rising food and agricultural imports and increasing consumption of unhealthy foods among others.
Shedding light on various government’s initiatives to support and empower the local farmers, women and youths as a part of development of local food system and strengthening programme, the Minister mentioned that priority has been accorded to the production of nutritious local and indigenous crops and development of value chain.
He also informed about the government’s initiatives to incorporate locally produced food items in the school midday meal which, he added, had contributed in addressing the malnutrition among the school-going children thereby positively impacting their learning outcomes.
This effort, according to him, had also supported rural economy and aiding the development of resilient local food system. He shared about various sustainable and resilient agricultural practices being exercised and promoted in Nepal such environment friendly agriculture, organic farming, climate-friendly agriculture and agricultural biodiversity and agroforestry systems. He said that Nepal, as a low-income country, lacks the financial and institutional strength to transform its current food system into sustainable, resilient and inclusive one in order to improve food security and nutrition.
Highlighting the growing challenges caused by climate change in food production and security system, the Minister called for international support to address these issues.
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23- Ambassador Pandit seeks Israeli support for safe release of Bipin Joshi
Kathmandu, July 31: Nepali Ambassador to Israel, Dhan Prasad Pandit, held a meeting with Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Gal Hirsch. It is the second time they met.
During the meeting held at Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday, they discussed the diplomatic relations between Nepal and Israel as well as the situation of hostages, according to the Foreign Ministry.
On the occasion, Ambassador Pandit made a special request to the Israeli side for their help in immediate and safe release of a Nepali student, Bipin Joshi, who was taken hostage by Hamas, expressing hope for the continued coordination from Israel.
Similarly, they talked about the issue of making high-level visit from both countries at a time when high-level visits between Nepal and Israel had not taken for long.
Coordinator Hirsch, however, said there was no clear information about Bipin’s condition, while 50 people were taken hostage by Hamas so far.
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24- UNDP Resident Coordinator Hamdy calls on Home Minister Lekhak
Kathmandu, July 31: UNDP Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Hanaa Singer Hamdy, called on Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak on Thursday.
Hamdy met Minister Lekhak at Home Ministry, Singha Durbar. She expressed views on government efforts to conclude remaining tasks of peace process through the transitional justice mechanisms.
She also expressed commitment that UNDP would assist Nepal continuously in conclusion of peace process and collaboration on disaster management.
On the occasion, Minister Lekhak reminded that Nepal government was working actively to conclude the peace process through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Inquiry of Enforced Disappeared Persons.
He also expressed gratitude to UNDP for the support provided so far on disaster management and sought further support and collaboration in the days ahead.
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25- Book titled ‘Transforming Nepal: Balancing Growth with Equity’ released
Kathmandu, July 31: A book co-authored by Prof Pushkar Bajracharya, Mohan Das Manandhar and Rojan Bajracharya has been released in Kathmandu on Thursday.
The book was jointly released by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh, former finance minister Surendra Pande, and Vice Chancellor of the Kathmandu University, Prof Achyut Wagle.
DPM Singh commented on the book that it was a resourceful text for public debate on contemporary issues surrounding economy and development. It works as a good guide to planning and policymaking that ensure results, he hoped.
Former finance minister Pande viewed although political development was debated much in Nepal, debate on economic development was grossly missing. “The book has come at a time when the country is in urgency of triggering economic growth,” he observed.
Vice Chancellor Prof Wagle said the book was useful both for policy makers and researchers because it had analysed well the previous books and publication on related subjects.
Author Prof Bajracharya argued the book had given direction to Nepal’s transformation to a prosperous country. It suggests the country on the measures to be taken for further actions.
Similarly, Manandhar viewed the book provides a good base for preparing development programmes and policies in Nepal. It draws attention of students, teachers, and development practitioners alike, according to Rojan Bajracharya.
The writers have finely analysed all dimensions of economy and provided a new perspective to utilize resources, it was shared.
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26- Lalbir Chaudhary new Chair of Nagarik Unmukti Party
Kathmandu, July 31: The Nagarik Unmukti Party has named Lalbir Chaudhary as its Chairperson.
A national gathering of the party held in Kathmandu decided Chaudhary as the party Chairperson unopposed, said Arun Kumar Chaudhary, lawmaker of the party. Lalbir is also a member of the House of Representatives.
The two-day national gathering was organised in Kathmandu from July 30. Lawmaker Arun Kumar shared that such decision was taken after the party leader, Ranjita Shrestha, fueled indecision in the party and failed to hold central committee meeting for the past one-and-half-years.
Meanwhile, Ranjita Shrestha, who was relieved from the post of Chairperson of the party, said the decision taken against the party statute would not be acceptable to her.
“A new chairperson has been picked by calling a national gathering without informing me. It is against the party statute. I will resort to a legal recourse to it”, she opined.
Lalbir is the father of Resham Chaudhary, patron of the party.
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27- Promote women entrepreneurship: CM Singh
Siraha, July 31: Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Satish Kumar Singh, has said promotion of entrepreneurship among women is imperative for their socioeconomic empowerment.
Addressing a programme organized to announce the new working committee of Siraha chapter of Women Entrepreneurs’ Federation Nepal here Thursday, CM Singh said fostering entrepreneurship among women help them become financially independent and build confidence.
“The products of the women entrepreneurs require proper marketing. Quality products can be exported,” he reminded.
According to him, promotion of locally products help discourage unnecessary imports. We need to ditch the trend of importing every small item, which is available or can be produced within country, Singh added.
The CM further said the indigenous skills can be upheld with the use of technology for leveraging local resources.
Central Chair of the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs, Shobha Gyawali, shared that the Federation set up its chapters in all 77 districts. The women entrepreneurship contributes not only to individual women but to the entire family and society, she argued.
Mayor of Lahan Municipality, Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary, viewed women can earn more money than their male counterparts who are toiling abroad. The Municipality has been providing training to women catering skills and knowledge so that they can launch entrepreneurship.
An 11-member new committee of the Federation has been formed under the chairmanship of Khusbu Jaiswal.
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28- Let’s build environment where all Nepalis can happily enjoy ‘Kheer’: PM Oli
Kathmandu, July 31: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed the need of creating an environment where all Nepalis can happily enjoy Kheer on every Saun 15.
At a programme organised by the CPN (UML)’s Literary, Arts and Culture Department on Thursday, Prime Minister Oli urged one and all to involve in building an environment where all Nepalis could happily mark this day with Kheer.
Stating that there is no possibility of good paddy production following the drought in Tarai-Madhes this year, the PM argued that the government has been actively involving to make appropriate arrangement for irrigation in Tarai-Madhes.
The Prime Minister shared that he had already directed the bodies concerned to complete various projects like– Sunkoshi Marin Diversion, Rani Jamara Kulariya and Tamor soon.
Similarly, Department Chief and Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Raghuji Panta, mentioned that the Department has been organising ‘Kheer Khane’ programme every year to promote Nepali indigenous culture.
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29- Scrub typhus cases on the rising trend in Chitwan
Chitwan, July 31: Out of total 7,095 patients who came for treatment in various health facilities in Chitwan in the last fiscal year, 1,055 persons were diagnosed with scrub typhus infection. Of the infected ones, 395 were men and 660 are women.
The District Public Health Office, Chitwan, shared that an individual succumbed to the scrub typhus infection during the period.
According to the Office, 80 men and 134 women were from Bharatpur Metropolitan City, 22 men and 48 women from Khairahani Municipality, six men and five women from Madi Municipality, 53 men and 77 women from Ratnanagar Municipality and 24 men and 33 women from Rapti Municipality were confirmed to have infected with the scrub typhus in the last fiscal year that end on mid-July.
Likewise, 22 men and 31 women were diagnosed with the scrub typhus from Kalika Municipality and 10 men and 14 women were from Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality.
Moreover, 178 men and 318 women from other districts were also found with the infection during the lab tests in the Chitwan hospitals.
In the previous fiscal year, 552 patients of scrub typhus were reported in the district out of the total 3,800 tests. Vector Control Inspector of Public Health Office, Chitwan, Ram KC said timely treatment was needed to save the patients from the scrub typhus while massive awareness dissemination help control this disease.
He also urged the local communities to pay attention for community hygiene. Likewise, 30 more cases of scrub typhus were reported in the past two weeks.
Scrub typhus is transmitted to humans through bites from mites that infest rodents or other animals. Symptoms include high fever, red eyes, coughing, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and body pain. Black spots can sometimes appear at the bite site.
Scrub typhus is caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi and is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mites (chiggers).
Fever, redness in the eyes, cough, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, breathing complications, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, malaise, and sometimes black spots in the bite site are its common symptoms.
To prevent infection, the people are advised wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, maintaining clean surroundings, trimming grass near homes, and controlling rodents through proper grain storage.
The first case of scrub typhus was reported in 2015 in Chitwan. Vector Control Inspector KC shared that the cases of the infected ones have increased year on year recently.
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30- Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister gets vote of confidence
Sudurpaschim, July 31: Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, has obtained the vote of confidence from the Province Assembly on Thursday.
Chief Minister Shah got majority of votes in a proposal tabled at the Province Assembly.
Province Assembly Speaker Bhim Bahadur Bhandari announced that the proposal tabled by the Chief Minister gained 30 votes which was the complete majority in the Province Assembly as per the members’ presence in today’s meeting. Fifteen Province Assembly members voted against the Chief Minister’s proposal for the confidence motion.
A total of 46 Province Assembly members including the Speaker were present in the meeting.
For Chief Minister Shah, 18 Province Assembly members of the Nepali Congress, 11 of the CPN (UML) and one of the Nagarik Unmukti Party supported. However, six other members of the Nagarik Unmukti Party absented from the meeting.
Province Assembly members of other political parties including the CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist), RPP and independent voted against the Chief Minister’s proposal.
In the 53-member Province Assembly, Dirgha Bahadur Sodari of the CPN (Unified Socialist) is suspended on charge of corruption.
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31- Locals protest power production from Barun River
Kimathanka, July 31: The District Coordination Committee has objected to the permission granted to produce power from the local Barun River which bears religious and historic significance. It runs through Bhotkhola rural municipality of Sankhuwasabha district.
Committee Chief Suman Shakya shared that attention of the bodies concerned was drawn not to forward the process to produce electricity because the 132-megawatt hydropower project going to be constructed at Bhotekhola-4 would put the very existence of the river at risk.
They drew the attention of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Department of Electricity Development, the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in order to stop hydropower from forwarding activities related to power production. The River passes through reserve and conservation area of Makalu Barun National Park, Shakya mentioned.
The 13th meeting of Bhotkhola rural municipality took the decision to prevent power production from Barun River reasoning that construction of different structures was not allowed at national park and reserve area.
The Energy Ministry, however, had on November 8, 2024, granted permission to a company to produce power from the river. The locals have been protesting that they would not allow power production from the river at all.
The religious and ethnic Makar fair is organised every year on Magh 1 on the bank of the Barun River.
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32- Committee directs govt to address drought-hit region
Kathmandu, July 31: The Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly has directed the government to immediately manage additional budget for resolving the problems of drought faced by Madhes Province.
Committee Chairperson Kamala Panta directed the officials from concerned ministries to pay heed to the problems of drinking water and irrigation in several districts including the drought-hit Madhes Province. Additional budget along with immediate, midterm and long-term plans are necessary to address drought crisis, she underscored.
The lawmakers argued present drought in Madhes is caused by the excessive exploitation of Chure region. If the human-caused problem is not addressed on time, it will be exacerbated to crisis, they warned.
Narayan Kaji Shrestha said State needs to make drinking water a top priority.
On the occasion, Officiating Secretary at Ministry of Drinking Water, Kamal Raj Shrestha, informed the lawmakers that drinking water was being distributed via tankers at present. Discussion was on with the stakeholders to resolve the problem permanently, he added.
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