- Thursday, 19 December 2024
Kathmandu, Dec 23: Power supply to some large-scale industries, who have failed to pay their electricity tariff for using dedicated and truck lines for a long time, have been cut off.
The Nepal Electricity Authority took the measure after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ ordered the NEA to plug off the power lines and recover the tariff from them on Thursday.
The NEA had been facing public criticism for cutting off power supply of household consumers but exempting the large-scale industries. According to the NEA, power supply to Jagdamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mills, Ghorahi Cement and Arghakhanchi Cement industries have been cut off.
NEA sources say that Jagdamba alone has to pay tariff worth Rs. 4.14 billion. Similarly, Reliance has to pay Rs 1.09 billion, Ghorahi Cement has to pay Rs 1.36 billion and Arghakhanchi Cement owes Rs. 1.3 billion.
Despite repeated calls the industries have not paid their dues in the form of power tariff to the NEA. The latest report of the Auditor General too instructs the NEA to collect the arrears. Furthermore, various committees of the Parliament had also directed to raise the tariff immediately.
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Narayangadh-Muglin road to be closed for four hours from today
Chitwan, Dec 23: To allow work on chopping off a cliff to build a bridge over the Tuin River, the Narayangadh-Muglin road section will be closed for traffic for four hours a day starting today. The road will be closed from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Vehicles plying on the section of the road will be stopped at six different places in Chitwan and Tanahu. Among the vehicles going to Muglin from Narayangadh, passenger vehicles can ply from Pandhrakilo Bazaar to Jugedi till 10:40 am while cargo vehicles can ply from Bhateri to Ramnagar till 10:30 am, said Information Officer of the Narayangadh-Muglin Road Project, West Section Krishna Acharya.
Likewise, passenger vehicles coming from Kathmandu can be driven up to Muglin Bazaar till 10:55 am and cargo vehicles till 10:45 am. Passenger vehicles coming from Pokhara will be stopped at Benitar from 10:55 am.
In the first phase, the road will be closed for three weeks.
The 60 meter high mountain was downsized by 25 meters last year and the remaining 35 meters will be cleared off now, said Acharya.
More than 10,000 vehicles pass through this road section every day.
Meanwhile, the District Traffic Police Office Chitwan has requested all travelers to use alternative route as the road section will be closed for traffic for four hours, leading to the possibility of traffic jam.
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Beni to Dhorpatan road to be constructed and upgraded
Myagdi, Dec 23: A project to open and upgrade the Beni-Darbang-Muna-Jaljala-Dhorpatan road has been launched.
The construction of the road from Beni to Dhorpatan via Darbang-Muna-Jaljala connecting Taksera in East Rukum will reduce the distance by 70 kms from the Baglung section of the mid-hill highway, said Chairperson of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality Premprasad Pun.
Upgrading the 50 km road from Beni to Muna to Khoria and the work of opening the road from Khoria to Dhorpatan has been progressed. A 19 km road to connect Khoriya to Jaljala is being constructed through a project worth Rs 30 million rupees.
The project to blacken the 24-km Beni-Darbang road and gravel the six-km Darbang-Dharapani road has reached its final stage, adds Pun.
The rural municipality has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) with a budget estimate of Rs. one billion to black top the road from Darbang to Mareini and submitted it to the provincial government.
Geographically, the residents of Mangala, Malika and Dhaulagiri Rural Municipalities of Myagdi will benefit and the road will be of national importance in the long term, said Vice-chair of Dhaulagiri rural municipality Ramesh Pun Magar.
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Two sugar mills in Sarlahi come into operation
Sarlahi, Dec 23: Two of the three sugar mills in Sarlahi have come into operation. Indushankar Sugar mills, the country’s largest sugar mill, in Harion and Mahalakshmi Sugar Mills in Bagdah have started crushing sugarcane for current season.
The third sugar mills, Annapurna Sugar Mills in Dhankaul still remains closed.
Manager of Indushanker Mills, Yognarayan Rajak, said the Mills has started crushing sugarcane after the sugarcane farmers withheld their protest programme. The sugarcane farmers of the district held a protest from last Saturday to Wednesday, calling upon the government to fix the minimum support price of sugarcane and pay the Rs 520 million as subsidy entitlement of the sugarcane farmers, who sold the sugarcane last year.
The farmers have decided to continue with the protest at the federal level and hence agreed to allow the sugar industry to resume operation, said Rajak.
According to him, the industry has set a target of crushing about 3.5 million quintals of sugarcane in the current season. Last year, the industry crushed 2.8 lakh million quintals of sugarcane. The production of sugarcane has increased this year.
Meanwhile, though the government fixed the price of sugarcane for this year at Rs 635 per quintal the sugarcane farmers do not agree with it, said Kapil Muni Mainali, President of the Nepal Sugarcane Farmers Federation.
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Hetauda hospital begins regular kidney dialysis service
Makwanpur, Dec 23: Hetauda Hospital in Makwanpur has started regular dialysis service services kidney patients.
Currently, a total of 66 kidney patients from Siraha, Bara, Parsa of Madhes and Sindhuli and Makwanpur of Bagmati province are receiving dialysis services on a daily basis at the hospital.
Kidney patients are required to take dialysis service twice a week. Currently, 13 dialysis machines are used in the dialysis unit room of the hospital to provide dialysis service to each patient three times daily in the morning, afternoon and evening, said Head of the Dialysis Unit, Seema Kandel.
The Ministry of Health and Population of the Federal Government, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, Rotary Club Hetauda and Aarogya Swastha Pratishthan Lalitpur have helped install dialysis machines in the hospital.
More than 400 kidney patients have been identified in Makwanpur and they are taking dialysis services in various hospitals in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Chitwan according to their convenience, said Lakshman Prasad Ghimire, Information Officer of District Health Office Makwanpur. Free dialysis service is provided under the Indigent Citizens Treatment Service Fund based on the recommendation of the concerned local level.
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Partly to generally fair weather forecast across country
Kathmandu, Dec 23: There is an influence of westerly wind in the country. The weather across the country is partly cloudy to generally fair.
Partly to generally cloudy weather has been predicted in hilly region while the weather would remain partly cloudy to generally fair in the rest of the areas this afternoon.
There is a possibility of light rainfall at one or two places of the hilly region of Sudurpaschim and Karnali Provinces, said Meteorologist Govinda Jha.
Jha shared that light snowfall has also been predicted at one or two places of high-hilly and mountain region of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the visibility in the Kathmandu Valley is 4500 meters today.
Today’s minimum temperature in the valley is 6.6 degree Celsius and maximum temperature would remain 18-20 degree Celsius.
The hilly areas of the country would witness partly to generally cloudy weather and the rest of the places would remain generally fair today night.
There is a possibility of light rainfall at one or two places of hilly region of Karnali Province. Similarly, light snowfall has been forecast at one to two places of upper hilly and mountain areas of Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.
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Deadline of tourist road construction expires without opening track
Channa (Bajhang), Dec 23: It has been one and half year since the deadline of construction of a tourist road expired in Bajhang district, but much to the dismay of local residents, the project has not inched towards any progress so far.
The track for the road has not been opened yet owing to gross negligence of the construction company.
The construction of road named ‘Khaptad Touristic Road’ stretching from Darugaun in Khaptadchanna rural municipality to the base area (Lokhada) of Khaptad has been in limbo.
The Sudurpaschim provincial government had allocated the budget for the same in the fiscal year 2019/2020.
MP Constructions was awarded contract at Rs 4.6 million to open a track for the road in December, 2020. The construction company has already received Rs 984,000 as the first installment for the undertaking, but gone out of contact since then, locals complained.
Chief engineer at the Infrastructure Development Office, Junga Bahadur Thapa, shared that they had been repeatedly following up with the focal person of the construction company but to no avail.
Similarly, a local resident Top Bahadur Khadka informed that the irate locals have seized a tractor of the construction company because they did not get payment of their work for the project that is currently hanging in balance.
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Let’s encourage all for organ donation: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Dec 23: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has appealed to all to contribute from their respective sides to build positive concept on human organ donation and transplant.
Addressing the first National Transplant Conference organised by Martyr Dharma Bhakta National Transplant Centre and Nepalese Society of Organ Transplant, Prime Minister Dahal laid emphasis on the need of encouraging for organ donation.
He said, “I want to request all brothers and sisters that many people can get new life from the donated organs. It is our common responsibility to save the patients suffering from liver, kidney, heart and lungs failure. So I sincerely appeal to all Nepalis to contribute from their respective places with a positive concept towards the national campaign of organ transplant.”
Expressing the belief that the conference would become a crucial and constructive in view of quality health services, PM Dahal shared that he was committed to address the complexities surfaced in Nepal’s organ transplant treatment sector. The conference would be useful to share the national and international experiences of organ transplant specialists regarding organ transplant and to address the challenges of this sector, he mentioned.
The suggestions and conclusion drawn by the conference through group discussion would be important for quality transformation in health sector, the PM said, adding the government was committed to reforms in this sector.
Dahal recalled that during his second premiership decision was taken to provide land for the expansion of Martyr Dharma Bhakta National Transplant Centre. He also vowed conclusion of the remaining works in this regard during this term.
He lauded the initiatives taken by the Centre regarding the issue of organ donation, expressing commitment that the government would provide its all possible support to the campaign of organ donation.
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Health sector in govt priority: DPM Khadka
Karnali, Dec 23: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has said government had prioritized development of health sector.
Inaugurating a free health camp organized at Mehalkuna Hospital of Gurvakot municipality-7 today, DPM Khadka viewed health is human imperative. Only healthy workforce can contribute well to production and prosperity, he added.
The day-long health camp was convened jointly by an organization, Back to Life; Martyr Gangalal National Heart Disease Centre (MGHDC); and Human Rights and Environment Development Centre.
For the development of health sector, construction of related infrastructures is equally significant, which is also in government’s focus. He also expressed gratitude to the MGHDC for providing service free of cost to the people of remote Karnali region.
On the occasion, the DPM expressed concern why the construction of 50-bed facility at Mehalkuna Hospital which began in 2073BS was still incomplete. He directed the concerned bodies to conclude it soon.
Officiating country director of Back to Life, Dikendra Lal Dhakal, said the free health camp was convened to provide treatment and medication to the people suffering from heart disease.
Similarly, Dr Chandra Mani Adhikari from MGHDC informed that the Centre would conduct surgery to those showing complicated heart problems.
Chief at Mehalkuna Hospital, Dr Sojan Sapkota, also expressed thanks to the MGHDC for providing service via health camp.
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National Transplant Centre gets land soon: Minister Basnet
Kathmandu, Dec 23: Minister for Health and Population, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, has said government had initiated process to provide land required for the expansion of Martyr Dharmabhakta National Transplant Centre (MDNTC).
At the first National Transplant Conference jointly organised by MDNTC and Nepalese Society of Organ Transplant, here today, Minister Basnet mentioned that the process to provide land to the centre was forwarded following the direction of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
“We will provide land in Bhaktapur and Nagarjun soon for the expansion of the Centre. The Ministry is committed to address this issue as soon as possible”, he vowed.
The Minister pointed out the need of immediate amendment to Medical Education Act to prevent human resources crunch in health sector in future.
Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives, Rajendra Pandey, laid emphasis on amendment of the Medical Education Act, as problem had surfaced in producing technical human resources in health sector.
Seventy-three nursing colleges were closed in lack of amendment to the Act, according to him.
Likewise, former minister Mahesh Basnet, lawmaker Ranju Jha, Centre Director Dr Pukar Chandra Shrestha, emphasized on making the Centre modern and well-equipped.
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Promotion of good governance top priority: Minister Sharma
Dharan (Sunsari), Dec 23: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, has said the government had been carrying out activities, keeping promotion of good governance and service delivery in top priority.
At a programme organised by Sunsari chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists at Dharan today, Minister Sharma reminded although freedom of expression is ensured in democracy, no one has right to speak against norms and values of the constitution.
Sharing that the incumbent government was working as per people’s aspiration, she mentioned that remaining task of transitional justice would be concluded soon in collaboration and consensus of all political parties.
The Communications Minister shared that the government was planning to provide incentives to media sector, citing media sector also faced economic crisis like other sectors.
On the occasion, journalists submitted a memorandum to the Minister, demanding formation of Journalist Academy.
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A year of govt: Economy making positive headway
Hemanta Joshi/RSS
Kathmandu, Dec 23: It is going to be a year since the formation of the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
The economic condition of the country was not in a good shape when the government assumed its responsibilities. The internal and external sectors of national economy were under tremendous pressure due to COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict among others.
Compared to the previous year, the economic indicators are moving towards positive direction at present. Rays of hope could be seen in the financial and monetary sectors.
Immediately after the formation of the government, the meeting of Council of Ministers was convened on December 26, 2022 and decided to proceed with economic reform at policy, procedure and institutional level according topmost priority.
The reformative actions seem to yield some desired results as well. The external sector is in comfortable condition while there has been a considerable increase in the remittance inflow and influx of foreign tourists.
Improved indicators
Looking at the major economic indicator of the country during the past one year, there are signs of improvements. The inflation has decreased in comparison with the last year.
The statistics of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) showed that the consumer price inflation had remained at 7.38 percent as of mid-December 2022. The inflation rate in the first four months of the current fiscal year stands at 5.38 per cent.
The external sector was terribly in a bad shape last fiscal year. The total foreign exchange reserve was Rs 129.56 billion. The foreign exchange reserve was able to cover 10 months of import of goods and 8.7 months of imports of goods and services.
The foreign reserve exchange as of mid- November this fiscal year is Rs 169.6 billion. Considering the import of last four months of the current fiscal year, it seems that the current foreign exchange reserve could cover 13.6 months of import of goods and 11.4 months of import of goods and services.
Similarly, there has been a noticeable improvement in arrival of foreign tourists and remittance inflow compared to the last year. Over 954,000 foreigners visited Nepal in the last 11 months of 2023.
The remittance inflow increased by 26.4 per cent and reached Rs 477.96 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year.
The balance of payment is at surplus of Rs 147.11 billion.
The government has heeded the repeated requests made by the entrepreneurs to consider reducing the bank interest rate. The inter-transaction rate of the banks and financial institutions are, thus, declining lately.
The weighted average inter-bank transaction among the banks was 8.50 per cent as of mid-November last fiscal year. It has come down to 3.47 per cent during the same period this fiscal year.
After the first quarterly review of existing monetary policy, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) reduced the bank rate from 7.5 percent to seven percent, while the policy rate from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent.
It has been taken positively by the businesspersons and industrialists, for they had demanded it for long.
However, the rising public debt and deficit budget are worrying issues in Nepali economy.
In the first quarter of the current fiscal year alone, Nepal witnessed increase of the public debt of Rs 57.71 billion.
Coupled with this is inability to increase capital expenditure. The revenue failing to meet regular expense is equally upsetting. These are important areas the government needs adequate attention.
Till the Mangsir end (mid December), the government has been able collect only 26.07 percent of the target revenue for the year.
Meanwhile, the government has taken significant decisions on infrastructure developments this past one year. The decision to forward constructions of Budhigandaki and Karnali Chisapani Reservoir-based Hydropower Projects are taken positively.
Similarly, taking ahead the Upper Aruan and Dudhkoshi Hydropower Projects are other welcome initiatives.
The national pride project, Pokhara Regional International Airport, was inaugurated on January 1, 2023.
The installed hydropower capacity has so far reached 28,000 MW in Nepal, which is some 94 percent coverage in the country.
Of late, the government has intensified the process to export the surplus power. Various programmes are run on clean drinking water.
Foreign visits to boost relations, economy
Moreover, PM Dahal conducted visit to India and China last year. Many important agreements were signed during the visit. An understanding was reached to forward a process for tripartite agreement after agreement in principle to start export of electricity produced in Nepal to Bangladesh via India.
During the visit, an agreement was signed to sell 10,000 MW electricity in 10 years from Nepal as well as to finalize the detailed project report of Pancheshwor multi-purpose project within three months.
Similarly, an agreement was reached to amend Nepal-India Transit treaty in course of India visit as well as expanding petroleum pipeline from Amalekhgunj of Bara to Lothar of Chitwan and Siliguri of India to Charali of Jhapa with financial and technical support of India.
Likewise, Nepal and India signed memorandum of understanding related to cross-border digital payment.
PM Dahal embarked on China visit on third week of September and the two countries signed various agreements for mutual cooperation in different sectors.
Both countries have agreed for collaboration in inter-state infrastructures development, trade promotion and facilitation, expansion of diplomatic relations and regional cooperation.
Similarly, an agreement was reached to take ‘BRI Implementation Project’ soon to conclusion in order to forward the agreement signed on May 12, 2017 for bilateral collaboration as per ‘Belt and Road Initiative Framework’.
Both sides agreed to build ‘Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network’ as well as to reopen Nepal-China check points. China and Nepal made the understanding to give final shape to ‘Nepal-China Electric Power Co-operation Plan’ as well as to initiate the activities of 200-kV. Jilong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime Inter-state Transmission Line as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the government has made preparation to organise investment summit in Kathmandu from April 21, 2024.
A directive committee under coordination of Finance Minister, an implementation committee under coordination of the Chief Secretary and a technical committee under coordination of Secretary of Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply were formed to organise the investment summit.
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Biratnagar provenance of political and industrial revolutions: President Paudel
Biratnagar, Dec 23: President Ramchandra Paudel has laid emphasis on building self-reliant and prosperous economy.
Inaugurating the Democratic Fighters’ Honor Ceremony and industrialists’ conclave here today, President Paudel viewed industrialists could play important role to form socialism-oriented economy.
President Paudel informed governments’ initiatives to recover the national economy dented by COVID-19 has showed positive results. He however said country’s economy is not up to the mark- revenue targets are missed; and industries not operated in full scale.
He reminded various personalities who had invaluable role for democracy and freedoms in the country.
According to him, Biratnagar is the provenance of both political and industrial revolutions. It houses the oldest Biratnagar Jute Mill where the labour movement was initiated.
He also congratulated all democratic figures, leaders, industrialists and journalists honoured on the occasion.
The President pointed out the need of stopping the brain drain by imparting training to human resources in the country and producing capable human resources with the expansion of industries related to agriculture, forest and minerals. The Head of the State asked the industrialists and businessmen to create such environment in the country.
Sharing the government alone could not make the country self-reliant, create employment, and promote export so as to end poverty, the President mentioned that it was possible only when the government collaborates with the private sector and it was necessary to make public private partnership more effective.
The President said the incumbent government would formulate new policy and act by taking into confidence private sector and holding broader consultation.
It is necessary to move ahead with robust collaboration among federal, province, and local levels and private sector for environment conservation as well as green and resilient economy and sustainable development.
President Paudel opined various shrines in the Koshi Province such as Halesi Mahadev, Tyamke’s Sidda Baba, Pathivara Devi, Chintang Devi, Baraha Kshetra and stupas, temples and Lovarkati Kirat temple could be developed as attractive tourism destinations so that national economy could be contributed.
“This region has tremendous potential both in tourism or industrial aspects. All we need is a strong determination, commitment, honesty and morality,” he asserted.
Wishing for the successful tenure of the team of establishment leadership, the Head of the State wished for the good health and longevity of all those feted today.
Similarly, Koshi Province Chief Parshuram Khapung said that the State should pay heed to the problems facing entrepreneurs of the private sector.
Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Kedar Karki, emphasized State’s role to address need and aspirations of the public.
Nepali Congress’ central committee member Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar acknowledged the President as someone who long struggled for democracy and republic and urged him to play the role of a guardian to safeguard the federal democratic republic.
In the programme presided over by Bhim Ghimire, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), former Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Hikmat Kumar Karki and CNI’s Founder President Binod Kumar Chaudhary among others put forth their views.
Altogether 29 personalities including freedom fighter, entrepreneurs and journalists duo Shankhar Kharel and Ananta Neupane were honoured in the event. CNI, on the occasion, feted President Paudel.
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PM Prachanda vows nationwide power supply during his tenure
Kathmandu, Dec 23: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that he is working to ensure undisrupted power supply across the country during his premiership for the third time.
The PM said so stating that power cut was brought to an end in the Kathmandu Valley during his second innings as the PM. Inaugurating the Budhanilkantha municipal conference of the CPN (Maoist Centre) here Saturday, the PM said that the Maoist-led governments have always worked for the cause of people and his current nationwide illumination campaign is a continuation of the same move.
“Of the steps taken so far for the country’s prosperity, most of them have taken place in our time. I have advanced some jobs of the strategic importance during my leadership as the PM for three times. But, we have failed to take credit of the jobs,” the PM argued.
PM Prachanda, who is also the Maoist Centre Chairman, added that his party is working to strengthen its public ties by safeguarding the achievements made so far. He was of the view that the Maoists failed to take ownership of their performance despite crucial achievements made during Dahal’s premierships.
On the occasion, Prachanda said that his party’s foundation has become strong after the ongoing three-month campaign and shared that the party would be run with a new vigour by conducting statute convention in February 2024.
Also speaking at the event, Maoist Centre leader Janardan Sharma said that the party’s three-month campaign has instilled people with energy.
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‘Role of Red Cross Society is incredible during disaster’
Kaski, Dec 23 : Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Surendra Raj Acharya has said that the role of Red Cross Society, which is relentlessly active in the field of humanitarian assistance, was incredible in the time of disaster.
Inaugurating the two-day-long national seminar of Junior and Youth Red Cross in Pokhara on Saturday, Minister Acharya said that effectiveness and roles of Red Cross would be further robust if more youth are engaged in the Red Cross movement.
Minister Acharya suggested that the Red Cross Society should continue its humanitarian assistance by resolving the issues if there are some disputes in the leadership level lately.
He also praised the roles of Red Cross Society performed during the time of disasters, earthquake, coronavirus pandemic, flooding and other crises. President of Nepal Red Cross Society Sudarshan Nepal, Vice-President Radha Nepali, central committee member Bishnu Nepal and other speakers shared the activities carried out by the Nepal Red Cross Society.
The seminar is likely to issue Pokhara Declaration by holding discussions on the reports by some 300 representatives attending from across the country.
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Federal Education Act is in top priority, PM says
Kathmandu, Dec 23 : Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the Federal Education Bill, which is under consideration in the federal parliament, was in the top priority list of the government.
Addressing the extended central committee meeting of Unified All Nepal Teacher Association in Kathmandu on Saturday, the PM said that the bill on school education is the government’s priority and said that initiatives would be taken to pass the bill from the upcoming House session.
The genuine demands of the teachers would be addressed through the bill and the school education would be made further robust, the PM opined. “You piled pressure (on the government) to meet your demands and issues. That has supported the government. The genuine and possible demands will be addressed from the feedback offered by you (teachers) in the present draft bill,” PM Prachanda assured.
On the occasion, Maoist Centre Vice-Chairman Agni Prasad Sapkota, General Secretary Dev Prasad Gurung and leaders urged the teachers to lead the society by imparting quality education to the students and termed teachers as the social campaigners.
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Digital platform offers opportunity to all: Minister Mahat
Kathmandu, Dec 23: Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat has stated that digital platform has been established as a tool to best utilize the capacity, qualification, imagination and dedication of youths and added that this sector has offered immense potential not only for the business but for every area.
Inaugurating the CIN Youth Entrepreneur Forum Nepal Startup Fest 2023 on Saturday, Minister Mahat said that those engaged in the production have easily obtained access to the market through the digital platform. “They can increase their income in low cost,” according to the Finance Minister.
He argued that the government has taken the IT policy to its practical implementation from this year’s budget and said that only nominal tax has been put in place. He viewed that from this step, the digital platform is likely to take a big stride.
Minister Mahat further said that the facility given by the state for this sector could help increase the IT business and pledged to make the IT policy more accessible in coming days. “The government is ready to facilitate the youths in the areas where they are willing to work,” Mahat added.
On the occasion, he said that the IT sector has played crucial role in the country’s economic development adding that a large volume of software is being exported from the country. “Business is becoming easier and the investment cost is being reduced from this,” he viewed.
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Pokharel bats for political polarization
Kathmandu, Dec 23 : CPN (UML) general secretary Shanker Pokharel has stated that political polarization was required in the country. Such political polarization should happen on the basis of policy-based supremacy, he addressing the second convention of the UML Bagmati Province Liaison Committee at the party central office on Saturday.
“Political polarization is inevitable if we are going to develop the country,” he said adding that people have sought for UML in the power for development and transformation.
The UML leader argued that democracy cannot advance on a right track if country was not led politically. Pokharel also stated that economic, social development and transformative jobs should expedited to develop the nation.
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Nation in critical hour; NC should take lead role-President Deuba
Kathmandu, Dec 23 : Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said his party should take lead role when the country has passed through a critical situation.
Inaugurating the first conference of the NC Bagmati Province on Saturday, President Deuba noted, “Now the nation is in dilemma and it is necessary for everyone to work together and especially the Congress in a leadership role at this time”.
Claiming that republican democratic system is crucial, ex-PM Deuba further said this is the inclusive political system. He stressed the need to strengthen the party base from grassroots level being fully committed to make the organization further effective.
NC Vice President Dhanraj Gurung said the Federal Civil Service Act would be brought through an ordinance if parliamentary session was delayed. He further clarified that the Federal Police Act, Federal Civil Service Act and Education Bill would be introduced through an ordinance if parliamentary session was likely to be delayed.
Gurung, also the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said the government was in preparation to endorse federal laws without any delay so as to further empower the local level. He stressed the need to change behaviours and conducts of the NC.
NC general-secretary Biswo Prakash Sharma said the Nepali Congress and the government should concentrate their efforts to enable the province governments. NC would host the Singhadurbar gherao campaign through Mahasamiti decision if the law was not introduced in a way to empower the province structures till the Mahasamiti meeting.
Also speaking on the occasion, NC Bagmati province President Indra Bahadur Baniya said the center has remained hesitant to grant rights to the province.
As many as 782 province delegates from 66 federal constituencies of 13 districts under the Bagmati province, federal lawmakers of Bagmati province, province assembly members, and regional presidents among others attended the conference.
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High-speed internet service begins in 14 districts of Koshi Province
Dhankuta, Dec 23: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma on Saturday marked the beginning of the high-speed internet service through optical fiber network in the districts of Koshi Province.
Minister Sharma, who is also the government spokesperson, inaugurated the “Telecommunications Infrastructure Optical Fiber Network” setup at Hile of Dhankuta Municipality. With the resumption of service, around 5 million people are expected to get accessible internet service.
On the occasion, Minister Sharma said the government has given special priority for the development of information and technology sector. Saying that optical fiber-based ‘Fiber to the Home’ service has reached to 73 districts including remote Taplejung, Bajhang, Bajura, Rukum Paschim, Jumla and Kalikot, Minister vowed to expand the service soon in the remaining districts as well.
Minister Sharma stated that the project would help bring the people of Koshi Province into the mainstream of telecommunications service and added that optical fiber-based ‘Fiber to the Home’ service is the priority of the government.
On a different note, Minister Sharma said that the government has formed a probe panel to study the share sale deal of the Ncell and pledged to bring such company under the ambit of tax system.
Also speaking at the event, Ministry’s Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut said that the optical fiber-based ‘Fiber to the Home’ service’ was brought into operation in the Mid-Hill Highway from the investment of Rural Telecommunication Development Fund.
The Fund has invested a total of Rs 4.87 billion for the project in Koshi, Madhes and Bagmati provinces.
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Supreme Court effortful for delivering tech-savvy service, CJ says
Dhulikhel, Dec 23 : Chief Justice Biswombhar Prasad Shrestha said the Supreme Court was effortful for delivering tech-savvy services.
At a programme organized in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk on the occasion of the ’68th Nepal Bar Day’ 2080 on Saturday, Chief Justice Shrestha said efforts were being made to provide tech-savvy services.
Noting that he was effortful to enable technology-friendly environment to sustain judicial service reforms, CJ Shrestha pledged to check irregularities by using technology. He further shared that efforts were being made to install innovative technology so that hearing and pleading can be made through video conferencing in special courts, labour courts, and foreign employment tribunals since his appointment as the CJ. It would be crucial to end compulsion for the general public to come to Kathmandu from any districts for making statements.
Also on the occasion, Kathmandu District Court Bar Chairperson advocate Ramchandra Poudel said judiciary reform would not be possible by abusing each other, urging all not to work to weaken the institution.
Chairperson of Special Court Bar, advocate Chudamani Poudel stressed the need to review the existing performance and suggest its future works. The programme was jointly organized by High Court Bar Association Patan, Special Court Bar Association, Kathmandu District Court Bar, Bhaktapur District Court Bar, Lalitpur District Court Bar and Kavrepalanchowk District Court Bar Association with a slogan ‘independent judiciary, tech-savvy service; competent legal practitioners, professional ethics’.
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