- Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Kathmandu, July 22: Discussion continues on the matters concerning the former President Bidya Devi Bhandari and party organization in today’s meeting of the central committee of the ruling CPN (UML).
In the second day of the meeting at the UML central office in Chyasal, Lalitpur, 58 central members aired their opinions on party vice-chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel’s statute amendment proposal and general secretary Shanker Prasad Pokharel’s organizational proposal reports, party publicity department chief Rajendra Gautam informed the media at a press conference.
In the first day yesterday, 49 central members had put their remarks on the proposals. Still 77 central members have yet to deliberate on the documents presented in the meeting.
Gautam informed that in today’s meeting the central members put their opinions on the matters, including former President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s return to UML’s active politics, party membership and arrangement of organized members.
“The central members emphatically raised the issue of transforming party’s subordinate committees such as electoral constituency coordination committees and province electoral constituency coordination committees into the executive committee in consistent with the Constitution”, the department chief shared.
The central members also highlighted the issues related to governm
ent’s performance and price inflation in the meeting.
It may be noted that the party secretariat and politburo meetings had already endorsed the statute amendment proposal of the vice-chair and organizational report of the general secretary. The meeting will conclude after party chair KP Sharma Oli’s address today, Gautam said.
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‘Govt committed to promote human rights’
Kathmandu, July 22: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya emphasized government’s commitment towards protection and promotion of human rights.
In today’s meeting of the Committee of Law, Justice and Human Rights under the House of Representatives (HoR), Minister Chaurasiya reaffirmed to implement the recommendations furnished by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with high priority.
“Human rights should be promoted by judiciously utilizing the available resources,” asserted Chaurasiya. He shared that the process to make the human rights related legislation timely had already taken forward and reiterated government’s commitment to enforce those legislations.
Also speaking in the meeting, NHRC Chairperson Tap Bahadur Magar called for enhancing the capacity of implementation of human rights for which he underscored collaboration among the stakeholders.
Likewise, parliamentarian Santosh Pariyar pointed out the need for the policy-makers to be serious toward human rights issue since he viewed that the practical implementation of human rights was in a sorry state in the country.
“It is the Commission where citizens approach in case if there is any violation of human rights. The Commission, thus, should deliver in such a manner that takes public into its confidence, “he suggested.
Another parliamentarian Sher Bahadur Kunwar highlighted the need for the government to be serious towards the recommendations of the Commission and thereafter pile a pressure on the State for the effective implementations.
Similarly, Ranju Kumari Jha opined that Nepal should make public its viewpoint about the global situation of human rights.
Suhang Nemwang pressed for effective implementation of the mid-term review report of the Commission and called for fulfilling the commitments towards country and citizens.
Other parliamentarians Pratikshya Tiwari, Nagina Yadav, Ram Kumar Rai among others univocally drew the attention of the government and Commission in protection and promotion of human rights.
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Comms. Minister Gurung for immediate operation of 5G network
Kathmandu, July 22: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that it was not enough for Nepal Telecom to reach all districts in theory. The work of bringing 4G network to every household and expanding 5G network should begin immediately.
In addition, Minister Gurung urged not to delay in the expansion of telecommunications as problems with the internet and telephone will make it difficult to realize the government’s digital framework objectives and create challenges to maintaining digital good governance.
During a discussion on the annual budget and program of NTC and NTA for financial year 2025/26 held at the ministry today, he drew the attention of the NTA and NTC to reduce network inconveniences on highways, while working to expanding services where the public needs the most.
Stating that internet and telephone facilities are very important to promote tourism, Minister Gurung urged to make network expansion effective in tourist destinations. He pointed out that Nepal Telecom’s promotional activities have been very low and requested the public to be informed about NTC by promoting it in areas such as education and health.
During the discussion, Communications Secretary Radhika Aryal also directed NTA to prepare an action plan that would encourage the young generation who are doing innovative work in the field of information technology. “It is the responsibility of the state to carrying out such initiatives along with the demand of the time.”
NTA Chair Bhupendra Bhandari informed that the work of operating the 5G network has almost reached the final stage, with the bidding process to be initiated soon.
NTC Acting Managing Director Sabina Maskey (Pradhan) also said that the 4G expansion is ongoing and preparations are underway to launch 5G.
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Temporary houses under construction for disaster victims: Home Minister Lekhak
Kathmandu, July 22: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has informed lawmakers that government was working actively to construct temporary houses for the disaster survivors. Retrofitting of private houses, reconstruction and rehabilitation are also other priorities, he added.
Home Minister Lekhak said it while responding to the queries raised by lawmakers in the National Assembly, upper house of federal parliament, on Tuesday. The reconstruction drive has gained pace for the survivors of Jajarkot earthquake occurred two years back.
He further said each household affected by the quake was provided monetary relief in two installments so that they could reconstruct their houses. For the reconstruction of houses, each household is provided Rs 50,000.
The affected families from Jajarkot, Rukum Paschim, Salyan and Bajhang districts were distributed the amount.
Even the work procedure on retrofitting of private houses, reconstruction and rehabilitation, 2081 was enforced, he said, adding that assessment of detail destruction was also conducted among 76,308 affected houses from Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces.
A temporary reconstruction office has been set up in Jajarkot, Accham and Bajhang districts, according to him.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly meeting endorsed two proposals- sending Federal Civil Service Bill, 2080, and the Nepal Citizenship (2nd Amendment Bill, 2081 in the legislation management committee for clause-wise discussion.
The next meeting of the National Assembly will be held on July 27.
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Committee to seek progress on its directives with a seven day deadline
Kathmandu, July 22: The House of Representatives, Education, Health and Information Technology Committee has decided to seek progress reports on the status of implementation of its directives to various government agencies in the last fiscal year 2081/2082.
The Committee meeting held at Singha Durbar today decided to give seven days to all agencies concerned to respond to the respective directives. Committee Chair Ammar Bahadur Thapa said that it has been decided to seek details on the implementation of the directives given to various bodies in the meetings held on various dates in the last fiscal year.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, Communications Secretary Radhika Aryal, and representatives of the Ministry of Law and Justice were present in the meeting.
On the occasion, the meeting has directed the Ministry of Communications to clarify the issues raised related to the Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill, 2082, and the Social Media Bill, 2081, during deliberations on the Media Council Bill. The Ministry of Communications has been instructed to clarify to the committee in its next meeting.
Committee Chair Thapa said that the Media Council bill will be finalized soon after holding discussions with experts and forming a subcommittee to hold clause-wise discussion.
Today’s meeting also decided to form a subcommittee for clause-wise discussions on the Media Council Bill. The name of the coordinator and members of the seven-member subcommittee will be announced in the next meeting.
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Struggle for enlightenment is tribute to BP: General Secretary Thapa
Chitwan, July 22: General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has said continuing struggle on the path of enlightenment is true respect to BP Koirala.
Inaugurating the BP Memorial Building at Bharatpur municipality-11 here Tuesday, General Secretary Thapa viewed NC still needs to wage struggle for enlightenment. The late iconic leader BP Koirala waged struggles for betterment throughout his life, he reminded.
“BP thought for country and people, which should follow,” he said, expressing wonder whether we could do it.
Thapa expressed dissatisfaction over the present performance of the party, which, he claimed, was against BP’s thoughts. He, however, said NC won’t shirk its responsibility.
“NC has carried out its responsibility from monarchy to republic and loktantra as per BP’s thoughts,” he argued. He urged party cadres to make publicity of party along with BP’s thoughts.
On the occasion, central Treasurer Umesh Shrestha underlined the need cementing unity within NC. Once NC becomes stronger, opposition automatically become weaker.
Various local leaders spoke on the BP’s ideology and present political situation.
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Seven books shortlisted for Madan Puraskar 2081
Kathmandu, July 22: The Madan Puraskar Guthi has today made public a shortlist of seven books for Madan Puraskar, 2081 BS.
The Guthi has issued a press release today and has made public the list of seven books out of the 299 books received vying for the award.
The books on the shortlist are ‘Urmaal’ by Chhuden Kavimo, ‘Chhalbato: Kailash Dekhi Ganga Samma’ by Ramesh Bhusal, ‘Dajryu Sanlap’ by Kumari Lama, ‘Panchatatvako Palam’ by Manprasad Subba, ‘Bahurupi’ by Shreyaz Subedi, ‘Bhikshu, Byapar Ra Vidroh’ by Sudheer Sharma and ‘Hiyunko Geet’ by Tirtha Gurung.
Guthi Chairman Kunda Dixit has said that one of the seven creations shortlisted will be awarded the Madan Puraskar of 2081 BS that carries a prize money is Rs. 400,000.
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Speaker Ghimire holds discussion with RSP and RPP leaders
Kathmandu, July 22: Speaker of House of Representatives (HoR) Devraj Ghimire on Tuesday held a discussion with the leaders of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) who are continuously staging protest in the parliament regarding visit visa scam.
The Speaker of the Lower House discussed with RSP Acting President DP Aryal and RPP Vice-President Buddhiman Tamang in presence of Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya.
During the meeting, Speaker Ghimire admitted, “Both parties have not been participating in the parliamentary proceedings. The lack of dialogue between you and government has adversely impacted the parliamentary business. As the Speaker of the House, I am feeling uncomfortable.”
According to him, the prolonged obstruction of House had stalled the introduction of 121 bills the incumbent government had pledged to introduce in this new fiscal year.
“I urge the government and the opposition parties to create an enabling environment to run the parliamentary business. I have nothing to comment regarding your theoretical and political issues. But the parliamentary business has certainly been affected,” the Speaker asserted.
Likewise, Minister Chaurasiya mentioned that the government had already initiated the probe into visit visa scam by forming an investigation committee. “The government is not going to overlook the opposition. The government has been holding discussions with the RSP and RPP leaders. You should be flexible to reach a point of consensus. The government will do the necessary homework towards it,” the Minister said, calling on the leaders for leniency on their part towards their stance.
In response, RSP’s Acting Chairperson Aryal retorted, “We acknowledged that the Speaker has been continuously taking initiatives to forge a consensus. He has even postponed many meetings in a bid to forge consensus. However, the issues we have raised are very serious.”
Similarly, RPP Vive-Chairperson Tamang echoed similar sentiments as Aryal and said that his party has already raised the issue of visit visa scam and there was no way the opposition parties were going to budge from their stance without consensus. “The government must take this issue seriously.”
He expressed his displeasure over the lack of disclosure of the works of the Bairagi Investigation Committee to the parliament.
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Adoption of ultramodern technology for disaster response in the offing-Home Minister
Kathmandu, July 22: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the government has reached the situation to use ultramodern technology for disaster response, search, rescue and relief.
At a ceremony to sign memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and Nepal Drone Association held at the Ministry of Home today, he shared that the country has come to a situation to use drone for search, rescue and relief (drugs and water) in course of the disaster response. He further informed that works are being carried out to keep the early warning system effective and efficient.
“We have reached an understanding that the organizations and individuals working in the private sector should also join their hands in response. It will yield a positive result”, the minister added.
According to the MoU, the tasks such as search and rescue, relief distribution and transportation of other goods, observation of disaster-hit areas, physical mapping, loss and damage assessment and information collection and analysis will be undertaken in collaboration between the NDRRMA and the Association.
Likewise, the MoU mentioned that the Drone Association will freely provide equipment with drone operator as per the need and demand of the NDRRMA.
NFRRMA is obliged to make arrangement of transport and accommodation for the members deployed for the task. The Authority will carry out necessary coordination and facilitation to mobilize drone and its operator with a license on drone flight.
A coordination committee has been formed for necessary guidance, coordination and facilitation in regard to drone operation. The NDRRMA’s Response Section Chief will serve as the coordinator of the mechanism.
The MoU will remain effective for a year and is subject to renewal based on mutual understanding, it is stated in the document.
Earlier, the Ministry had signed a MoU with Helicopter Society of Nepal for free use of their helicopters for post-disaster rescue operations.
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NC reconsiders support to govt if cooling off period is reversed: General Secretary Sharma
Bhaktapur, July 22: General Secretary of Nepali Congress, Bishwo Prakash Sharma, has warned that there would not compulsion for NC to support present government if the cooling off period recommended by the State Affairs Committee in the Civil Service Bill was reversed.
General Secretary Sharma said it addressing a talk programme organized by NC Madhyapurthimi municipal committee on BP Memorial Day. NC will be forced to reconsider support to government if the recommendation of the State Affairs Committee for cooling off period in the Civil Service Bill was ignored. He however said, “Anyone involved in the tampering in the Bill in a bid to erase provision of cooling off period would be brought to book.”
He hoped the tampering on Bill relating to cooling off period would be corrected by the National Assembly. “If Prime Minister directs to remove the provision, NC won’t continue backing up this government,” Sharma reiterated.
Similarly, he informed that thorough discussion would be held on Bill relating to Land in parliament committee.
He urged the party leaders and cadres to be committed to BP Koirala’s thoughts. Sharma argued if the NC, other parties and monarchy had adhered to the principles and thoughts BP advocated, the country would not have suffered this way- armed conflict, abolishment of monarchy and other hindrances.
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Hindukhush Himalaya Parliamentary Meeting on August 18-19
Kathmandu, July 22: The Hindukush Himalaya Parliamentary Meeting (HKH meeting) is going to be organized on coming August 18-19 in Kathmandu with an objective to collectively discuss global pressing issues such as climate change, air pollution and environment among others.
The meeting is going to be held in coordination of the parliamentary Committee of Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources and with support of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Representatives of the countries lying in the Hindukush Himalayan region such as Nepal, India, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Chiefs and members of parliamentary committees in those countries will take part in the meeting.
Similarly, representatives of high-ranking agencies working in the sector of climate change in the countries not having parliamentary system will be attending the meeting in a bid to forge collective climate action.
Towards this, the Committee of Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources summoned a meeting of secretaries and joint-secretaries of the concerned ministries and climate experts on Tuesday to discuss a wide range of issues relating to the upcoming HKH meeting such as necessary support, facilitation, security and mutual coordination.President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to inaugurate the meeting, it was shared.
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Cooperation and collaboration imperative for sustainable solution of climate change: President Deuba
Patan (Lalitpur), July 22: Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has stressed the need to ramp up coordination and collaboration for sustainable solution of climate change.
He said this at a closing ceremony of the 30-day training programme on environment and climate change concerns organized by the NC Department of Environment and Climate Change Concerns at the party central office, Sanepa, Lalitpur on the occasion of the 43th BP Memorial Day.
President Deuba asserted that the climate change solutions could not be barely limited to the allegations or argument of loss and damage compensation, highlighting the need of unity of global community for its sustainable solutions.
“We should not merely hinge on foreign assistance for tackling climate crisis but also need to fully utilize own resources, skills and potentials”, he said, adding that Nepal should take lead in expanding regional cooperation.
“In the challenging context, we should enable multilateral diplomacy and encourage advanced countries to reduce carbon emission”, Deuba noted.
Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Forest and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari shared government’s efforts to address negative effects of climate change in the country.
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