Citizenship issued in mother’s name for the first time in Banke

Janaki (Banke) Jan 8: The District Administration Office, Banke has issued a citizenship certificate in mother’s name for the first time in the district. Chief District Officer Dil Kumar Tamang conferred the citizenship certificate by descent on 24-year-old Mohan Godiya, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub Metropolitan City-8.

The document was provided in line with the second amendment of the Citizenship Act, 2063 BS and the fourth amendment of the Rule.

According to Chief District Officer Tamang, Godiya was conferred the citizenship certificate in the name of his 46-year-old mother, Maya Kumari Godiya. Godiya reacted that after getting citizenship, he felt that he was a real citizen of the state.

“I have involved actively in sports since the age of 17, participating various national games as well, but also lost many opportunities for lack of citizenship certificate,” he said. Now onwards, he would enjoy the benefits, Godiya shared the happiness.

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22-       Chair Lamichhane urges party cadres to maintain restraint

Chitwan, Jan 8: Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has urged the party leaders and cadres to present themselves in a restraint manner.

Addressing a programme organised at RSP party office, Bharatpur on Thursday, Chair Lamichhane viewed, “The RSP has been facing the allegation that RSP supporters are aggressive. So it is necessary to be disciplined and become well-cultured.”

Election is the best part of democracy, the RSP Chair reminded, underscoring that election has no alternative at present, so activities should not be carried out to disrupt this democratic exercise. The RSP does not indulge in the politics of revenge, Lamichhane made it clear.

According to him, the RSP should be strong to fulfill the dreams of the entire nation, so selection of right leadership is the need of hour.

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23-       RPP invites PM Karki to attend Prithvi Jayanti celebration

Kathmandu, Jan 8: The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has invited Prime Minister Sushila Karki to attend the Prithvi Jayanti celebration on Poush 27.

The party delegation led by Chairman Rajendra Lingden met PM Karki at her official residence, Baluwatar on Thursday and invited her to a tea reception the party is going to organize for the celebration on Poush 27 (January 11). Poush 27 of Nepali calendar is the birthday of the foundation of modern Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah.

Chief of publicity department of RPP, Mohan Kumar Shrestha, informed RSS that PM Karki pledged to attend the celebration.

Various programmes are being organized across the country to observe the 303rd birth anniversary and national unity day on Poush 27. Ruler Prithvi Narayan Shah is commemorated for his role in building modern Nepal by unifying many principalities irrespective of geographical, social and economic adversities.

Floral offer is made to a statue of the founder of modern Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah, placed at the Western Gate of Singha Durbar, a major administrative complex.

The government has given a public holiday on the Prithvi Jayanti.

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24-       Development projects thru contract process: CM Yadav

Janakpurdham, Jan 8: Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Krishna Prasad Yadav, has said the construction works were forwarded through contract process to maintain good governance in Madhesh Province.

Talking to RSS on province government’s plans, Chief Minister Yadav reiterated that unlike past practice of users’ committee, the development projects would be taken ahead after contract process. In the past, only the projects worth more than Rs 5 million had to undergo contract.

The province government has decided to complete the projects worth over Rs 2.5 million through contract now onwards. This scheme was brought to reduce the roles and works of the users committee. “With this, province government will not face controversy on development works,” he asserted.

Good governance in Madhesh Province is his top priority, Yadav shared, seeking cooperation from all sides to this bid.

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25-       ‘Art in Himalaya’ expo kicks off in Pokhara 

Gandaki, Jan 8: An exhibition ‘Art in Himalaya’ kicked off in the touristy city on Thursday. The Srijansheel Kalakar Samuha of Pokhara organized the event in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.

Mayor of Pokhara metropolitan city, Dhan Raj Acharya, inaugurated the three-day expo at Pokhara Art Gallery, Nayabazar. Mayor Acharya expressed the belief that the exhibition would help to make Nepali artists and arts known to the international arena. 

“The exhibition itself is learning. Experience, skill and technology will be shared among the Nepali and international artists. Such programmes help Pokhara to get connected with the world through art,” he argued.

An artist from Ireland, Lora Murphy, shared they were excited to participate in the expo with Nepali artists, adding she has been taking initiatives to connect artists from Pokhara and surrounding areas with international-level artists.

Murphy had coordinated to secure participation of foreign artists in the art exhibition. Paintings of artists from seven countries, including Nepal, have been kept on display, said Chairperson of the Srijansheel Kalakar Samuha, DB Gurung.

Thirty-three artists from Nepal and 15 from the USA, Australia, the UK, Denmark, Canada and Ireland have been participating in the exhibition. Total 70 artworks are on display. “This exhibition will become a medium to introduce Nepali artists and their artworks to world-class artists,” said Chairman Gurung.

Nepali talents are expected to benefit financially as their artworks are also on sale. The three-day exhibition is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.  Academician Radhika Kandel said the exhibition was organized with the aim of making Nepali art and artists known internationally and promoting culture and tourism through creative works. The Academy has been emphasizing programmes to promote the arts.

Decentralization of the programmes related to fine arts is gaining pace lately, according to her.  The second phase of the exhibition will start from January 24. Nepali artists, including 20 foreign artists, are going to participate in the exhibition.

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26-       Social organisations vital to maintain religious tolerance: Minister Aryal

Kathmandu, Jan 8: A team comprising representatives of the World Hindu Federation, including its Chairperson Asmita Bhandari, met Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal.

During the meeting held at the Ministry, Singha Durbar on Thursday, they drew attention of the Home Minister towards peace and security of religious area.

Minister Aryal responded that any activities spreading religious unrest should not been carried out in the country and action against those involved in such activities would be taken, according to Minister Aryal’s Secretariat. He underscored that religious organisations have significant role to maintain religious tolerance, social harmony and law and order in the society, respecting one another’s religious faiths.

He requested support from the Federation to counter religious intolerance and misleading news and information spreading from social media. Creation of awareness against misleading news is prerequisite to maintain social and religious tolerance, the Minister underscored.

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27-       Coordinator Dahal for broader unity of communist parties

Kathmandu, Jan 8: Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, has called on all communist groups to be united with his party. 

Addressing a programme organised at the party central office, Parisdanda on Thursday, he stressed broader unification among all communist parties is essential to serve people’s aspiration and need for prosperity.

Coordinator Dahal mentioned, “Broader national unity among all communist parties helps in strengthening national unity, sovereignty and economic prosperity of the country. The expectation of Gen Zs will be fulfilled if we unite.” Sharing that NCP is the party where Gen Z youths can get their voices heard, he argued that his party had shouldered the historical responsibility of reinforcing nation’s unity and sovereignty. 

During the meeting with representatives of Dalit Liberation Front of Nepal on Thursday, leader Dahal clarified that the NCP has been struggling untiringly for the economic, social and political rights of Dalit community.

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28-       SC seeks written response on Nishad community’s reservation quota

Kathmandu, Jan 8: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday sought a written response by issuing a show cause notice in a writ petition filed calling for the provision of reservation quota for the Nishad caste.

A single bench of Justice Til Prasad Shrestha asked to submit the written response with valid reasons, causes and available evidence within 15 days of notice through the Office of the Attorney General.

Khajanti Mahato Naniya, on behalf of the Nepal Nishad Ekata Samaj, had lodged the petition at the SC on January 2 by naming the Federal Parliament, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and other bodies.  The SC stated that the written response was demanded since the issue in the petition should be addressed through parliament based on its nature.

The Nishad community includes Nuniya, Bin, Malah, Kewat, Kewarat, Turaha, Amat, Kol/Kaul, Khara, Khulwat, Khulwat/Khunot, Gangai, Godh, Godhi, Chaya/Chayav/Chai, Chauhan, Tiyar, Dhimar/Dhiwar, Bahardar, Beldar, Bot, Rajbhar, Sorhiya/Soraiya, Banpar, Gaudh, Bote and Modiyar/Moriyari.

The petitioner demanded that the reservation quota be ensured for the members of the Nishad community in civil service, semi-state-owned agencies, Nepali Army, Nepal Police and other state bodies.

Mostly residing in the districts of Tarai/Madhes, the primary means of living of this community are fishing, boating and farming.The Nisadh community is also equally vulnerable to flooding and landslides, as the members of this community’s settlements are mostly on the riverbanks.

As per the report shared by the Madheshi Commission, the population of the Nishad community is more than 814,000.

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29-       Construction entrepreneurs need favorable climate to work, Chairman Singh says

Rupandehi, Jan 8: Chairman of the Federal Contractors Association of Nepal, Rabi Singh, has called for a conducive environment to work for the construction entrepreneurs.

Inaugurating the 19th annual general meeting of the Association’s Lumbini Chapter on Thursday, Chairman Singh viewed that the environment of confidence should be created in the country and the entrepreneurs should not be troubled to speed up the construction works.

“The government should be conscious to ensure a sense of good governance for the general public. The industrialists and entrepreneurs are in crisis at present. The construction entrepreneurs are the torchbearers of the nation’s prosperity,” Chairman Singh claimed.   

He also urged the current government to realize the people’s expectations and the mandate of the Gen-Z Movement. On the occasion, Singh stated that the construction entrepreneurs and the people have suffered from low-bidding in the areas of construction works and called for an amendment to the Public Procurement Act.

He said that an umbrella act should be introduced through an adjustment of the Public Procurement Act and other Acts in order to ensure a smooth pace in the construction works.

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30-       Nepal, US sign agreement on cultural property

Kathmandu, Jan 8: Nepal and the US have signed an agreement on cultural property in a bid to preserve cultural heritage of Nepal and curb illegal supply of artifacts.

Joint Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr Suresh Shrestha, and the US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R Thompson, signed the agreement amidst a function on Thursday. As per the agreement, the illegal supply of cultural property will be curbed and preservation of Nepal’s rich cultural heritage strengthened.

Except the items bearing export certificate issued by Nepal government, the US will ban the import of certain archeological goods from Nepal as per the agreement.

The agreement is expected to curb the theft and smuggling of invaluable cultural property. Even the religious and classical objects, scripts and the woodcrafts bearing historical value would be protected from illegal dealing. Both countries will cooperate with each others to take action against those involved in theft and illegal supply.

During the agreement signing ceremony, Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mukunda Prasad Niraula, thanked the US government for its cooperation to preserve Nepal’s cultural heritages.

Similarly, US Ambassador Thompson said the agreement has stressed the US government’s respect to Nepal’s cultural heritage. It helps to foster cooperation to control smuggling of cultural artifacts, he added.

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31-       UML Chair Oli holds meeting with PM Karki

Kathmandu, Jan 8: Prime Minister Sushila Karki and CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli held a meeting on Thursday.

Prime Minister’s Press Coordinator Ram Bahadur Rawal informed that PM Karki and Chairman Oli stressed the successful conduct of House of Representatives (HoR) election slated for March 5. The meeting was held at the PM ‘s official residence, Baluwatar.

PM Karki urged Chairman Oli to participate in the election without any confusion.  Responding to the PM’s concern, Chairman Oli said that his party would not shy away from the election if the security and overall environment for it was ensured.

Chairman Oli also inquired about the health condition of the PM’s husband, Durga Subedi.

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32-       Legal ways paved to provide citizenship in mother’s name

Kathmandu, Jan 8: Legal hurdles have been cleared to obtain the citizenship certificate in the mother’s name. With the new move, anyone whose father’s identity is not revealed would get the citizenship certificate in the mother’s name following the approval of the Nepal Citizenship (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2082.

The Council of Ministers had approved the Nepal Citizenship (Fourth Amendment) Regulations and published in the Nepal Gazette on January 5, paving the way for the implementation of the provision stated in the Citizenship Act, 2063.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs Ananda Kafle stated that all the District Administration Offices across the country have been written for the implementation of the provision mentioned in the Nepal Citizenship (Fourth Amendment) Regulations.  

The President in September had authenticated the Nepal Citizenship (Second Amendment) Bill, 2082 made to amend the Nepal Citizenship Act, 2063 BS. The amendment ensures provisions allowing anyone to acquire citizenship in the mother’s name if the identity of their father remains unknown.

In regard to the naturalised citizenship, it states that a child born to a Nepali female citizen in a foreign country, residing permanently in Nepal, may be granted naturalised citizenship as prescribed, provided the child has not acquired foreign citizenship through the father.    

The Regulations also mentioned that a child is eligible for obtaining citizenship in the mother’s name if the father is dead or not supporting the child in acquiring citizenship, or is married to another person.

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33-       Chair Oli issues first intra-party circular after 11^th National Congress

Kathmandu, Jan 8: The CPN (UML) has issued an intra-party circular, first after the recent 11^th National Congress. Party Chairman KP Sharma Oli issued the circular to the lower committees to inform and implement the important decisions taken at the first meeting of the central committee and secretariat meetings.

The circular has made an election-focused division of work in view of the House of Representatives (HoR) election slated for March 5. “In accordance with the policy of mobilizing the party’s office bearers and central committee members to concentrate in the election activities, the temporary division of tasks has been put in place,” circular mentioned.

 All 277 central members have been given the responsibility of election-centric works. As per the circular, the nomination of central committee members, the formation of politburo and standing committee and overall work division will be carried out after the HoR election.

All committees are asked to review the election within a month of the voting and send its report to the central office.

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34-       Three ministers get additional portfolios

Kathmandu, Jan 8: President Ramchandra Paudel has assigned additional portfolios to three ministers.

The responsibility of three ministries was given to other ministers after Kul Man Ghising, who had been taking the charge of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and irrigation; Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport; and Ministry of Urban Development, resigned from the post on Wednesday.

At the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, President Paudel assigned Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Anil Kumar Sinha, to look after the portfolio of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Similarly, Minister for Forest and Environment, Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, will look after the portfolio of Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport, while Minister for Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation, Kumar Ingnam, the portfolio of Urban Development Minister as well, reads a press release issued by Spokesperson at the Office of the President, Ritesh Kumar Shakya. —