- Monday, 18 November 2024
Kathmandu, Dec 25: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has called for the establishment of a high-powered commission to deal with and resolve disputes regarding dedicated and trunk lines of electricity.
Issuing a press statement today, FNCCI said the government and private sector are well aware of the issues and stressed the necessity of a high-powered commission to effectively resolve the disputes.
Through the statement, the FNCCI has urged Nepal Electricity Authority to refrain from cutting off power supply to industries, requesting the restoration of power to those that have already faced disconnection until the issue is sorted out. According to the FNCCI, numerous industries may face closure, causing adverse impact on employment and revenue collection if the matter was not addressed promptly.
The organization hopes that the government will prioritize the concerns of the private sector, particularly amid the existing economic crisis, and take proactive measures to address the issues.
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Gandaki province gov. intensifies infrastructure development
Gandaki, Dec 25: The Gandaki province government has intensified the construction of physical infrastructures, including road and bridge.
According to the Infrastructure Development Office, Baglung, lately the construction of newly-designed and old infrastructure projects was gradually gaining momentum.
Office Chief Dinesh Kumar Ghimire said the projects that were already contracted out and new projects have entered into implementation.
He mentioned that the office had returned the construction company to resume the works for problematic projects. He informed that the work of old multi-year road project has progressed.
He said that contracts for more than half projects worth Rs 3 million to Rs 20 million were signed.
The office has a total budget of Rs. 880 million for the current fiscal year. A total of 65 projects, both new and old, are scheduled to be implemented through the office. According to the office chief Ghimire, the detailed project reports of two roads and two road bridges to be constructed in the current fiscal year are being developed.
The progress of multi-year road and bridge construction was sluggish lately.
Ghimire said the contractor company that remained reluctant was taken back to work after the progress was stopped.
The contractor companies have readied for resuming stalled construction works after preparation for terminating the contractors and blacklisting the dysfunctional companies.
The office had placed six road projects as problematic. The budget has been approved by the Ministry of Economic Affairs on the recommendation of the Ministry of Physical Affairs for the multi-year contract of two roads and two road bridges. An additional Rs 210 million budget has been sought to complete the old multi-year schemes this year.
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Dhakal elected NEFSCUN Chairperson
Kathmandu, Dec 25: Chandra Prasad Dhakal has been elected Chairperson of the Nepal Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperative Unions Limited (NEFSCUN) – an umbrella organization of savings and credit cooperatives acros the country.
Dhakal secured 1,196 votes to emerge winner in the election held on December 24. The 32nd Annual General Meeting and convention of the federation took place in Kathmandu on December 23-24.
His closer contender, Paritosh Poudel, obtained 1,019 votes. Newly-elected Dhakal has been working in the cooperative field for long.
The elected office-bearers are Damodar Adhikari (senior vice-chair), Shanti Adhikari (women vice-chair), Ghanashyam Adhikari (general secretary) and Deepak Thapa (treasurer).
According to the election committee, the elected members in the board of directors from women category are Sita Dhakal Poudel, Mandira Mishra and Kamala Devi Giri.
Among other elected members are Laxmi Sapkota (Koshi province), Shibha Kumari Raut (Madhes province), Khemraj Subedi (Bagmati province), Gopal Prasad Gautam (Gandaki province), Gyanu Poudel (Lumbini province), Bir Bahadur Raut Bhote (Karnali province), Dipti Shahi (Sudurpaschim province).
Likewise in board members from open category, Devkumar Shrestha, Sushil Kumar Basnyat, Shalikram Dhakal were elected.
Indraraj Jyoti Poudel has been elected the coordinator of Accounts Supervisory Committee while Hem Raj Bista and Durga Tiwari Sanjel got elected as members in the committee.
A total of 2,200 delegates among 2,633 cast their votes in the election to pick a -new leadership of the federation.
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Spotted tiger found in Besisahar, released into forest
Lamjung, Dec 25: A tiger has been found at Besisahar Municipality-8 in Lamjung. Police Inspector at the District Police Office, Lamjung, Thaneswor Chapai, said that the tiger was found hiding under the banana trees of Dal Bahadur Poudel of Besisahar-8 on Sunday.
He said that the police reached the spot acting on a tip off about the entry of the jungle cat in the area and efforts made by the staff of the Division Forest Office, Lamjung to control the tiger, but failed for the first time.
Again, forester of the Division Office, Guna Bahadur Glan, took control the tiger with the help of sacks.
Santosh Khanal, chief of the Division Forest Office, said the tiger was taken under control and then released to the forest. He said, “The beast may have come here in search of food. The tiger was released in to the forest without identifying its sex”.
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Two members of a family found dead in forest
Nawalpur, Dec 25: Two members of a family were found dead in a forest in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta-East) on Sunday.
They died while going to the forest for collecting fodder and wood on Sunday.
Manadevi Poudel, 60, of Omshanti Tole of Binaya Triveni Rural Municipality-1 and her daughter in-law Bishnu Poudel died while going to the forest, according to Information Officer at the District Police Office, DSP Bed Bahadur Poudel.
The two were found dead in the forest in a search operation carried out by the police. The mother and daughter-in-law who went to the local forest did not return home.
The police had mobilized 60 security personnel in the forest to find out whereabouts the missing. They were found dead at the top of a ridge on Sunday.
DSP Poudel said that Bishnu and manadevi both had injuries on their back.
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Two killed in road accident
Manthali (Ramechhap) : Two persons travelling on a motorcycle were killed when a bus hit the bike at Boharetar of Sunkoshi rural municipality-3 this morning. The bus with registration number Bagmati Province 01-006 Kha 4593 was heading towards Kathmandu from Manthali of Ramechhap at the time of the accident. One of the persons on the motorcycle died on the spot while the next one died on the way to hospital.
The bus belonging to the Purba Araniko Yatayat Sewa Samiti knocked the motorcycle (Ba 60 Pa 3545) coming from the opposite direction. Eighteen-year-old Munakala Rai of Diktel municipality-10, Khotang district who was pillion riding on the bike died on the spot while Kumar Rai of Tuwachung municipality-2, Khotang, who was driving the bike, died on the way to the local Khalte Hospital, said Chandra Shrestha, the Ward Chair of Sunkoshi rural municipality-3.
Police have taken the bus driver, Rupesh Adhikari, 24, of Phulasi, Manthali municipality-13, under control and initiated necessary investigation, the District Police Office, Sindhuli said.
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One year of government: Supplies chain of chemical fertilisers eased
Kathmandu, Dec 25: In the last fiscal year, the government imported 489,000 metric tons of chemical fertilizer, of which 401,000 metric tons were sold, thereby easing supplies chain.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development said over the past year, fertilizer availability in the market has improved compared to previous years, providing easier access for farmers who were previously struggling to get fertilizers.
Tapendra Prasad Bohora, Joint Spokesperson for the Ministry, attributed the increased availability of chemical fertilizers to enhanced crop production and productivity. The Ministry credited the timely initiation of tenders, efficient evaluation processes, and prompt agreements for the timely procurement of fertilizers. The Ministry expressed confidence that the current stock and ongoing procurement efforts would ensure easy access to fertilizers for the upcoming farming season.
The government, according to the Ministry, consistently announced support prices and procured 37,000 metric tons of rice from farmers through cooperatives and the Food Management and Trade Company Limited.
Furthermore, in the past year, the government received a gift of 14 Murrah buffalo bull from India under the Animal Breeding Programme, a part of Nepal-India cooperation in agriculture and the livestock sector. Joint Spokesperson Bohora said with these efforts spanning the past decade to bring Murrah buffaloes were materilised. The government expects their significant role in dairy and meat production.
Similarly, Nepal received 101 advanced breeds of calves and eight bulls during this period, aiming for increased dairy production within the next five to six years. The country also recorded 711,000 artificial inseminations in cattle nationwide for advanced breeds of animals.
The construction of semen production and processing laboratory at the National Livestock Breeding Office, Lahan and distribution of 83.2 million fingerlings to the farmers are also mentioned among the Ministry’s achievements in one year.
A protocol has been signed between Nepal and China for collaboration in the agriculture, livestock and fishery sectors and plant quarantine condition. Likewise, a MoU has been signed between Nepal and South Korea for collaboration in the agriculture sector.
The Ministry stated that 181 thousand and 65 insurance policies related to crop and livestock have been issued and crop and livestock insured worth around Rs 50.40 billion. He said Rs 159 million 900 thousand towards agriculture insurance and Rs 1 billion 962 million and 700 thousand towards livestock insurance has been paid as the subsidy premium of agriculture and livestock insurance.
Quarantine check post has been operated at Trinagar transit point in Kailali and at Suthauli transit point of Kapilbastu for regulating and managing the import and export of vegetable and fruit produce.An additional 700 thousand farmer households have been listed in the farmer listing system taking the number of listed farmers to 1.4 million. An amount of Rs 580 million has been handed over to the provincial agriculture ministries under the fiscal transfer for providing relief to the farmers whose fowls had been culled in course of prevention of bird flu.
The Ministry stated that 1,000 metric tonnes source seeds of various crops and 633 thousand seedlings of vegetables have been distributed. An immunization programme has been conducted by producing 538 million and 710 doses of vaccines of 13 different kinds for controlling infectious diseases in animals.
Similarly, the Ministry facilitated in the import of 1 million and 37 thousand doses of vaccines for controlling lumpy skin disease in animals. 351 thousand livestock has been administered the vaccines. Twenty-eight metric tonnes of silage produced in Nepal has been exported to China for the first time. One thousand six hundred and eighty-six metric tonnes of Chhurpi worth around Rs 3.27 billion has also been exported during this period.
Self-sufficiency has been achieved in egg and chicken while the country is moving towards the same status in fish and milk also, the Ministry said in its progress report.
The Ministry said 3,113 samples of food and feed had been collected for testing as per the Food and Feed Act, and of these samples 98 were found to be sub-standard. Cases have been filed against such products and firms found producing and selling such sub-standard feed products.
The Ministry stated that monitoring had been conducted for 10,689 times at bar, industries, hotels, restaurants and sweet shops during this period. Twenty-three parameters related to seven food grains, including tea, coffee, honey and spices, among others have been certified in this period.
Twenty-two varieties of various crops including rice, wheat and vegetables, among others, were registered and six new varieties released. Similarly, 25 various technologies related to agriculture and livestock have been developed during this period, the Ministry stated.
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BP Highway disrupted after torching of bus
Manthali (Ramechhap), Dec 25: Traffic on the BP Highway has been disrupted after the irate locals torched a bus belonging to the Araniko Transport Service Committee today. Two persons were killed after the bus with registration number Bagmati Province 01-006 Kha 4593 hit a motorcycle at Sunkoshi rural municipality of Sindhuli district today morning.
The bus heading towards Kathmandu from Manthali of Ramechhap knocked the motorcycle (Ba 60 Pa 3545) coming from the opposite direction. Eighteen-year-old Munakala Rai of Diktel municipality-10, Khotang district who was pillion riding on the bike died on the spot while Kumar Rai of Tuwachung municipality-2, Khotang, who was driving the bike, died on the way to the local Khalte Hospital, said Chandra Shrestha, the Ward Chair of Sunkoshi rural municipality-3.
Vehicular movement on the highway has been suspended since the morning after the locals set the bus on fire, police said.
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Jajarkot earthquake: number of beneficiaries estimated to reach 80,000
Kathmandu, Dec 25: The number of people eligible for drawing government assistance over the Jajarkot earthquake has increased. The figure is expected to rise as the collection of details is underway. According to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), to date the number of beneficiaries has reached 67,780 with identification of around 9,000 during the last updates. The number is likely to go up.
Authority Chief Executive Officer, Anil Pokhrel, said the figure is expected to reach 80,000 and preparations are going on accordingly. The initial number was set at 28,000. With increasing number of beneficiaries, the cost for their rehabilitation and for management of temporary shelter for them will rise.
Over Rs 2.26 billion has been allocated to the affected districts and more budget is needed amidst increased number of beneficiaries. There are 35,140 beneficiaries in Jajarkot followed by 23, 608 in Rukum West; 4,576 in Bajhang; 2,729 in Bajura and 1,730 in Salyan, according to the Authority.
The November 3 earthquake with its epicenter at Ramidanda of Jajarkot affected Rukum West, Salyan, Bajhang and Bajura as well. Now the constructions of temporary shelters for the affected are going on.
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BP Highway resumes
Manthali (Ramechhap), Dec 25: Traffic on the BP Highway that was disrupted following the death of two people in a motorcycle accident has resumed. Irate locals torched a bus that hit the motorcycle, disrupting the Highway. Police initiated to restore the traffic from 1:00 pm today.
The bus (Bagmati Province 01-006 Kha 4593 ) belonging to the Araniko Transport Service Committee earlier today knocked the motorcycle (Ba 60 Pa 3545) coming from the opposite direction at Sunkoshi rural municipality of Sindhuli, resulting in the deaths of Munakala Rai, 18, of Diktel municipality-10 and Kumar Rai of Tuwachung municipality-2, Khotang.
Manukala who was pillion riding on the bike died on the spot while rider Kumar breathed his last on the way to the local Khalte Hospital, said Chandra Shrestha, the Ward Chair of Sunkoshi rural municipality-3.It is said the police collected the mortal remains and took them to the District Hospital, Sindhuli for post-mortem examination.
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Journalists have paramount role in empowering provinces: Chief Minister Karki
Biratnagar, Dec 25: Chief Minister of Koshi province, Kedar Karki, has said journalists have paramount role in the empowerment of the provincial government and in the implementation of constitution. He said so during a meeting and discussions with the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Koshi provincial working committee at his residence here today.
Chief Minister Karki said a debate about the rights of the provincial government has been started now during its second term and entire journalists of the country will have a role in this. He also urged the FNJ to conduct a debate on this topic.
The chief minister suggested journalists to question the Federal Parliament lawmakers who question the performance of the provinces making public statements but do not make laws vesting the provinces with rights. He accused the federal government of delay in investing the provinces with adequate rights.
“The federal government dillydallying in giving powers to the provincial government means depriving the people of the provinces from the service, facilities and the benefits that they are entitled to,” he said.
Chief Minister Karki reiterated that the province government always respected press freedom and it shall dedicate itself for developing the physical infrastructures of FNJ.FNJ Koshi province acting president Lavdev Dhungana led the journalists’ delegation on the occasion.
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PM Dahal to address the nation at 3:00 pm tomorrow
Kathmandu, Dec 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is scheduled to address the nation at 3:00 pm tomorrow, Tuesday. He will be addressing the nation from his Singha Durbar-based office on the occasion of the completion of one year in the office.
Dahal was appointed the Prime Minister of Nepal on December 25, 2022 (Push 10, 2079 BS).
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People urged to take precaution against cold as mercury plummets
Kathmandu, Dec 25: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Meteorological Forecasting Division has urged people to take necessary precaution against cold as the mercury is on a dipping trend throughout the country.Meteorologist at the Division Saroj Pudasaini said although there is no significant weather system at play in Nepal at present, cold is increasing and hence the need to take precautions.It is partly cloudy in the hilly region of the country and generally fair in the Tarai region, the Division said.
“There is partial influence of the Westerly wind and impact of a big weather system is ruled out for some days,” Pudasaini added. The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly region of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and generally clear in the rest of the regions today. It will be partly cloudy in the hilly region of Koshi and Gandaki provinces and generally fair in the rest of the regions tonight, the Division stated.
Dense fog had occurred in Biratnagar, Janakpur and Bhairahawa in the Tarai region in the morning today.The minimum temperature in Kathmandu today was 5.4 degrees Celsius and the maximum 18 degrees Celsius. Cold has intensified in Kathmandu as the mercury has dropped. Although it is sunny towards noontime, extreme cold is felt in the morning and evening.Jumla recorded the lowest temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius throughout the
country, the Division said.
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Law Minister pitches for consensus and collaboration
Damauli, Dec 25: Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhanraj Gurung has said consensus, collaboration and understanding are the need of the hour. Addressing the district convention and building inauguration programme organised by Nepali Congress Tanahu today, he underscored the need of consensus among the three major parties.
“The Congress, CPN (UML) and the Maoist Centre should come together for resolving the country’s problems. There is consensus among these parties since the Comprehensive Peace Accord till now and the same agreement is today’s need,” he asserted.
Gurung, who is also the NC vice-president, stressed on elimination of illiteracy, corruption and poverty, describing these as the major problems facing the country. He also urged the leaders of the major political parties to refrain from chastising each other.
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Parbat hosting owl festival on February 2-3
Parbat, Dec 25: An owl festival is scheduled to take place at Phalamedanda of Jaljala rural municipality-5 in Parbat on coming February 2-3.
The event to be organised by the Friends of Nature (FoN), Kathmandu, a non-profit organisation will focus on discussions on various dimensions for the conservation of owl. The festival will be organised in collaboration with the locals, said Raju Acharya, owl conservation activist.
Poaching, smuggling, deforestation and the use of pesticides have largely posed threat to owl population and its existence, said Acharya who is also the executive director of FoN. Such type of event is being held in the US and Italy besides Nepal.
The event to be held with the theme of “Let’s join hands for conservation of Owl,” will have a photo exhibition on owl life. Among the 23 species of owls in Nepal, eight are presently endangered. The illegal smuggling of owls from Nepal is estimated to be worth millions of rupees annually, it is said.
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No alternative to republic: NC president Deuba
Damauli, Dec 25: Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has called for further strengthening the federal democratic republic system. Speaking at the District Convention of Nepali Congress, Tanahu here today, the leader said “There is no alternative to a republic.”
He also highlighted the need of cultivating a culture of consensus and cooperation among political parties to further strengthening the federal democratic republic system.
Deuba utilised the forum to insist on a broader understanding and unity within the party to consolidate its position. He added that an electoral alliance is needed as, constitutionally, no political party has a strong possibility for securing a majority in the election. “The Constitution is inclusive. And the possibility of a single majority is slim. The NC could emerge as the largest power through an electoral alliance.”
Prior to this, President Deuba inaugurated a newly constructed building of NC, Tanahu.
NC former general secretary Dr Shashanka Koirala, Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey and central members Shankar Bhandari, Pradeep Poudel and Gobinda Bhattarai were also present on the occasion.
The building was constructed at a cost of around two billion and the budget was managed through donation collections. The four-storey building spans in eight ana of land, NC district president Jit Prakash Ale said. On the occasion, leader Deuba honored those who contributed to constructing the building.
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Deputy Speaker calls on journalists to write in favour of good governance
Baniyani (Jhapa), Dec 25: Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Indira Rana Magar, has called upon journalists to write in support of good governance.
Addressing a programme to honour the founders of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Jhapa chapter and to hand over amount for the Journalist Support Fund, organised on the occasion of the 35th founding day of FNJ Jhapa here today, she said the journalists should push their pens against corruption and in favour of good governance.
As the Deputy Speaker said, the low prevalence of corruption in the developed countries was because of the watchdog role played by the media there. “I urge journalists to move ahead with courage and confidence to fostering good governance in every sector.
The journalists played significant role in establishing democracy in the country and they should play similar role now in promoting good governance,” she added.Stating that good governance cannot be established only by making laws, she said the implementation aspect should be strong for producing results.
Founding Secretary Tara Baral and members Govinda Chand Chhetri and Mohan Dhungana were honoured on the occasion. Deputy Speaker Rana Magar felicited them by presenting them with Letter of Honour. At the programme, various donors contributed Rs 1 million to the Journalist Support Fund.
Baral and Binod Basnet who contributed to the Fund put their views at the programme presided over by FNJ Jhapa president Ekraj Giri.
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Major parties’ top leaders meet in Baluwatar
Kathmandu, Dec 25 : A meeting of the top leaders of three major political parties is taking place at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar.
The leaders are expected to discuss the issues of Act on Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) and remaining tasks of the peace process.
According to the PM’s Secretariat, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka and the second rung leaders of the three parties are also attending the meeting.
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Education will be made free until grade 12
Barhabise (Sindhupalchowk), Dec 25 : Minister for Health and Population, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, has said preparation was underway to make education free up to grade 12.
Addressing the 59th anniversary of Bal Sikhshya Secondary School at Balefi rural municipality-7 in Sindhupalchowk on Monday, Minister Basnet shared that discussion with stakeholders has been expedited for the same. “I have already held discussion with stakeholders including the Prime Minister and leaders for the arrangement of free education up to grade 12. A decision will be taken soon in this regard”, he said.
He shared that Bahrabise Municipality, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality and Tripurasundari Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok were already provided free tuition up to 12th standard in their schools. Minister Basnet said that in a few years, thousands of students will be able to pursue medical education degree at concessional rates in Nepal.
Minister Basnet said that the government will develop a plan to run one medical college per province. Also speaking at the program, Minister for Forest and Environment of Bagmati Province, Masina Khadka, pointed out the need to provide technology-based education to meet the needs of the 21st century.
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Youth killed in tiger attack in Parsa
Birgunj, Dec 25 : A youth has died after coming under attack of a wild tiger in Parsa district today.
Manoj Urab Dhagad, 32, of Tharkati of Paterwa Sugauli rural municipality-2 in the district was mauled by the wild cat, when he went to the nearby jungle to relieve himself, according to Area Police Office, Paterwa Sugauli.
Police Inspector Ramraj Kesari shared that Dhagad went missing all of a sudden and was found dead after a search operation. The torso of Dhagad has been retrieved from the jungle. The dead body was found without legs,” said Police Inspector Kesari.
The dead body of Dhagad has been sent to Narayani Hospital in Birgunj for a post-mortem, police said.
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PM Prachanda to address nation at 5:00 PM tomorrow
Kathmandu, Dec 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is addressing the nation at 5:00 pm on Tuesday.
Upon completion of his one-year in office as the country’s Head of State, Prime Minister Prachanda is addressing the nation from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the PM’s secretariat stated.
The Prime Minister has already shared he would review his results achieved in the last one year and would make new announcements to work for the country’s betterment, mostly in the areas of good-governance, social justice and prosperity in the coming days.
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Bir Hospital starts high-tech Tomotherapy in cancer treatment
Kathmandu, Dec 25: For the first time in the country, the Bir Hospital has installed ultramodern Tomotherapy for the treatment of cancer patients.
Officials said that Tomotherapy is a state-of-the-art way to deliver radiation treatment against cancer disease.
Hospital’s Director Dr Santosh Paoudel said that this is the first of its kind used in Nepal to damage the cancer cells in the human body.
Currently, two patients are receiving the Tomotherapy service. The hospital had started the radiotherapy service eight years ago to deliver radiation treatment against cancer disease.
“It takes just 10 minutes for a patient to keep a patient in a ready position if we could well handle the equipment,” said the Chief of Oncology Department at the Bir Hospital, Prof Dr Bibek Acharya.
Acharya added that upto 50 patients could be given the service in a daily basis once the medicos were efficient to handle the equipment.
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Minister Acharya pledges support for quake survivors in collaboration with development partners
Jajarkot, Dec 25: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Surendra Raj Acharya said that the incumbent government was taking initiatives to provide more support to the quake survivors in collaboration with development partners.
Minister Acharya, while taking stock of the quake survivors at Rawatgaun in Bheri rural municipality in Jajarkot, the district jolted by 6.4 magnitude quake on November 3 night this year, shared that the government planned to shift the displaced quake survivors to the temporary shelters before the coming monsoon.
The Minister also extended his gratitude to various development partners such as Save the Children and local organizations for supporting the government of Nepal in post-quake search, rescue, treatment and relief package distribution by reaching out to the quake affected areas within 36 hours of the tremor.
Similarly, Bheri municipality mayor Chandra Prakash Gharti spoke of the need to take forward relief distribution operation along with reconstruction of the quake-damages houses and construction of temporary shelters for those hit hard by the quake.
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Private sector complains of disconnecting power supply without efforts to resolve dispute
Kathmandu, Dec 25: The private Sector has complained of power supply being disconnected without taking enough initiatives for the resolution of dispute
over electricity tariff arrears of those with dedicated feeders and trunk line.
They said the government disconnected the lines without showing seriousness on the addressing the dispute of payment of electricity arrears of dedicated feeders and trunk line, which is in place since the past six years.
The Nepal Electricity Authority has started disconnecting power supply from Friday, citing different industries using dedicated feeders and trunk line did not pay the electricity tariff since long. Issuing a press release on Monday, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry said a high-level commission should be formed to resolve the dispute of arrears of dedicated feeders and trunk line.
Similarly, Confederation of Nepalese Industries organised a press conference in Kathmandu on Monday and said disconnecting the power supply of industries without taking efforts to resolve the problems was unfortunate.
The CNI warned of seeking legal remedy against this act of NEA. CNI President Rajesh Kumar Agrawal mentioned that industrialists have been discouraged due to NEA’s act, of disconnected the power supply line without taking initiatives to resolve the problems.
The NEA on Friday had disconnected the power supply to Jagadamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mill, Ghorahi Cement, Arghakhanchi Cement, Sarbottam Cement, Laxmi Steel, as well as other industries.
The issue of payment of electricity arrears of different industries using dedicated feeders and trunk lines surfaced around six years ago. The dispute between the NEA and industrialists has not been dissolved yet. Courts, parliamentary committees, Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority had directed the NEA to collect the arrears.
The NEA disconnected the power supply after the industries turned deaf ears to NEA’s request to pay the dues.
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Major parties’ top leaders agree to advance TRC Bill
Kathmandu, Dec 25: A meeting of the top leaders of three major political parties held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar this evening ended with an agreement to pass the Bill on Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) from the upcoming winter session of the Federal Parliament.
Parliamentary approval of the TRC Bill will be a breakthrough in completing the remaining tasks of the country’s peace process.
According to the PM’s Personal Secretary Ramesh Malla, the top leaders of the three major political parties agreed to advance the bill on Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation, which is in the parliamentary committee and pass it from the winter session of the parliament with priority for making the laws relating to transitional justice.
Talking briefly to the media after the meeting, CPN (UML)’s parliamentary party whip Mahesh Bartaula said the top leaders agreed to make victim-centric laws. “The UML is ready to go for a consensus if we are to make the victim-centric laws. The PM has expressed his readiness to address this issue from the winter session,” Bartaula mentioned.
Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (UML) Chair KP Sharma Oli, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, Minister for Law Dhanraj Gurung and other leaders of the three parties were present at the meeting summoned by the Prime Minister.
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Udhauli festival being observed today
Kathmandu, Dec 26 : Udhauli, the second most important festival of the Kirat community, is being celebrated across the country with great fervor today.
The festival that begins from the full moon day of Nepali month of Mangshir according to the lunar calendar is observed by worshipping nature and ancestors before harvesting the crops.
It is also a time to indicate the time when human, animals and birds descend to lowland from highland due to cold. The Kirat people gather to mark the festival in an organized manner and exchange good wishes on the occasion.
According to Mundhum, religious book of Kirat community, time is divided into two parts, Udhauli and Ubhauli, on the basis of farming. Ubhauli is celebrated in the full moon day of Nepali month of Baisakh during plantation while Udhauli is observed in at the time of harvesting of the crops. The harvested crops are offered to the ancestors before consuming.
Apart from Kirati community, the festival is celebrated by Limbu, Sunuwar and Yakhya ethnic groups. They assembly in public places and perform traditional Sakela dance in ethnic costumes.
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Udhauli festival highlights interdependent relationship between humans and nature: President
Kathmandu, December 26: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that Udhauli, a great festival of the Kirant community, has helped to highlight the interdependent relationship between human life and nature.
In a message today on the occasion of Udhauli festival, President Paudel has expressed his belief that this festival of the Kirant community will enhance mutual harmony among all ethnic groups in Nepal and help maintain family, community and social unity. He mentioned that festivals like Udhauli play an important role in maintaining national unity and common Nepalese identity.
“Festivals like Udhauli have played an important role in maintaining social harmony, national unity and common Nepali identity,” President. President Paudel has said while extending greetings to all the Nepali sisters and brothers who are at home and abroad on the occasion of Udhauli.
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Contribution of Jyapu community in culture development laudable, says PM Prachanda
Kathmandu, December 26: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that it is the common responsibility of all to protect the communities with religious and cultural traditions, artworks, crafts and lifestyle.
Extending his best wishes on the occasion of the 20th National Jyapu Day today, he has said that the contribution of the Jyapu community to the development of art, culture and civilization of the valley through fairs, festivals, cultural activities, arts and skills are significant and appreciable.
Stating that the indigenous art, culture and festivals of different ethnic groups are the asset of Nepali society, he has said that the role of ethnic diversity in the development and advancement of Nepali civilization is incomparable.
“The constitution respects the religious and cultural beliefs of various communities and protects the various languages, scripts, cultures, civilizations and cultural heritages,” he said, “Democracy, social justice, national unity, independence, national integrity and patriotism are our national characteristics.
Prime Minister Prachanda has also expressed the belief that the National Japu Day would provide energy in nation building and in the development of a common indigenous culture.
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Dhangadhi into the finals of Nepal Super League
Kathmandu, Dec 25: Dhangadhi Football Club has entered the finals of Nepal Super League (NSL) football tournament.
Dhangadhi FC defeated Pokhara Thunders by 4-3 in a tiebreaker to book a place in the second edition of the NSL. The match held at Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar today ended in a 1-1 draw at end of the 90 minutes. Pokhara scored the first goal in the 5th minute of the game through Ayush Ghalan. However, captain Devendra Tamang of Dhangadi scored in the 54th minute to bring the score to 1-1.
In extra time, Stefan Kozo Enor scored for Pokhara and Ahmed Hijaji scored for Dhangadhi to bring the match to a close at 2-2, leading to the penalty shootout.
Kathmandu will play Lalitpur in the eliminator match on Tuesday. Pokhara will play the winner of this match to decide the second finalist of the NSL
