- Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) is to remove individuals’ houses and other physical structures constructed by encroaching upon the land belonging to the Pashupatinath Temple Trust.
PADT Spokesperson Rewati Raman Adhikari said a technical team of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City together with PADT is carrying out a search for such houses and structures along with a demarcation of the structures.
“We have started identification and demarcation of such structures since last Friday with the help of the technical team of KMC. This task will be completed in one or two days. Structures built by encroaching on the public land will be dismantled,” he said.
PADT said individuals have been found to have encroached upon 3 ropanis, 6 anas and 1 paisa land at Gancha Pokhari of KMC -8, three ropanis 8 anas land at Bhagawansthan of KMC-3 and some land at Lama Pokhari, Sifal and constructed illegal structures.
PADT Chair and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has directed PADT and KMC to remove the illegal structures constructed by encroached the PADT’s land.
A meeting of the PADT Board on January 30 took a decision to this connection.
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MPs take to the streets to prevent misuse of government vehicles
Saptari, Feb 4: Some members of the Madhes provincial assembly took to the streets in Saptari to stand against, what they said, blatant misuse of government vehicles during public holidays.
Accordingly, Madhes provincial assembly member Mala Karna was on the road in the East-West highway at Kalyanpur in Saptari and stopping the government vehicles plying on a Saturday. Karna participated in the initiative led by Nar Bahadur Karmacharya Memorial Foundation, Saptari chapter.
Also a secretary of the Chapter, MP Karna on the occasion said government property should be used only for government-related work. It is necessary to discourage the tendency of misusing government vehicles on holidays. If government vehicles can be stopped from plying on holidays only many unnecessary expenses can be reduced, Karna added.
The Foundation members including the MPs stopped government vehicles for three hours on Saturday afternoon and asked the drivers not to drive vehicles without a pass on public holidays.
Saptari president of the Foundation, Dhruv Kumar Mandal, said that the initiative was organized to discourage the tendency of going for a free ride with government vehicles on holidays, using them for shopping and transporting personal goods and using them for personal work. Mandal says that this step has been taken because it is the responsibility of the citizens to prevent misuse of state resources.
Earlier on January 18, the Foundation had submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Officer of Saptari demanding enforcement of the law to stop misuse of government assets during holidays.
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18th Food Festival in Sauraha
Bharatpur (Chitwan), Feb 4: The 18th edition of the annual food festival will be held in Sauraha, Chitwan from coming February 11. The festival is held on the occasion of Valentine’s Day and will run until February 15. It is organized by Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN), Sauraha Chapter.
Food, music and culture are going to be celebrated together with the aim of attracting both domestic and foreign tourists, said Dhruv Giri, president of the REBAN Sauraha. The festival is estimated lead to a turnover of Rs 30 million with 5000 tourists attending it daily.
Program coordinator Surya Bahadur Rimal shared that the festival is organized with the objective of promoting the traditional, local and native food delicacies, local art, culture, and costumes and making Sauraha recognized as a tourist destination at the national and international level.
During the five-day festival, there will tableau display of multi-castes, musical performances by national and local artists and the Axis Band, food exhibitions and competitions among local tribes, and competition between waiters and waitresses. In addition, there will be a special Valentine’s Day program, tug-of-war competition, REBAN Cup municipal level volleyball competition, inter-school dance competition, among others.
According to REBAN Sauraha, around three hundred thousand tourists visited Chitwan National Park in the previous financial year 2079-080. Around 150,000 tourists have already visited the park until of mid of the current financial year.
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25-year-old private vehicles to be scrapped
Gandaki, Feb 4: Privately-owned vehicles will have to be scrapped after running for 25 years in Gandaki province. This is the first time that such a provision has been made for private vehicles in the country. So far, the provision was applicable only to public transport vehicles as provided by the federal law, which is 20 years.
The new provision comes into effect in Gandaki province, after the Gandaki Province Vehicle and Transport Regulations, 2080, was published in the provincial gazette last Thursday.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management, Tikaram Paudel, said that the age of private vehicles has been set at 25 years for the first time in Nepal. There is already a provision for public vehicles to be scrapped after 20 years.
For e-public vehicles the limit is for thirty years. It is mentioned in the regulations that the ministry can create and issue necessary standards to convert public and other vehicles into electric vehicles.
Spokesperson Paudel said that the regulations have also provided legal ground to regulate and legalize the transport services provided through the Ride Sharing app. Transportation service can be provided through the use of Ride Sharing App at specified fares after completing the necessary procedures along with passenger insurance.
The regulations have also increased the fine to be paid by taxis that do not run on the meter system. From now on, the minimum rate of fine will be increased to Rs 10,000 from existing 2,100. Furthermore, the road permit license can be suspended for six months as the maximum penalty.
There are around 3,500 taxis operating in Gandaki province including 2,500 in Pokhara alone.
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World Cancer Day being observed today
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The World Cancer Day is being observed by organising a variety of awareness programs against cancer today.
The day is celebrated every year on February 4, with the theme for this year internationally being “Together, we challenge those in power”. This theme encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritize and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world, according to the World Health Organization.
Likewise, the theme for the day in Nepal is ‘ Challenge of cancer is on the Rise, Lets increase access to care’.
According to the WHO, in 2022 about one million people died due to cancer. About one-third of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco use, obesity, alcohol consumption, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and lack of physical activity.
Similarly, the most common is lung cancer. Although there is no accurate statistics of cancer patients in Nepal, according to WHO, the casualties in women in the country is high due to cervical and breast cancer. Similarly, lung, stomach and liver cancer are more common in men.
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Jaleswar Jail jam-packed with prisoners
Jaleshwar (Mahottari), Feb 4: The Jaleshwar district jail holds prisoners three times more than its capacity.
Located in Ward No. 1 of Jaleshwar Municipality, the Jail has the capacity to hold 200 prisoners. However, the number of prisoners is the jail at present is 602. Among the 602 prisoners, 38 are foreigners (Indians) jailed for various offenses.
Spokesperson of the prison office, Rabin Chandra Thakur, said that various problems have surfaced in the prison due to excessive number of inmates. The physical structure of the decades-old prison built in 1913 BS has also become dilapidated.
The prison suffers water leaks during the rains, extreme heat during summer and extreme cold during the winter making the stay of the prisoners difficult, said Jailer Chanardip Yadav. There are only 24 rooms, 15 toilets, seven hand-held water pipes and six water taps inside the prison.
He complained that due to lack of room, many prisoners are forced to sleep out in the open, take turns to go to the toilet, stand in queue to take a bath and eat under the open sky during the harsh winter.
Yadav said that the lives of the prisoners have been affected by cold and viral fever. Twenty of 20 seriously ill prisoners with various health problems are forced to eat, live and sleep together with other inmates in the prison due to lack of space.
Sources at the jail say that the Department of Urban Development and Building had submitted a report stating that Jaleshwar Jail is unfit to house prisoners.
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RSP begins nationwide pressure-exerting campaign
Sindhupalchok, Feb 4: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is going to start a nationwide pressure-exerting campaign from today. Party President Rabi Lamichhane is scheduled to launch the campaign from Melamchi and will continue across the country until April 3.
RSP Sindhupalchok coordinator Maya Gurung said that the nationwide pressure-exerting campaign is going to start from the Melamchi drinking water project site. The campaign will kick off from the office premises of the project to exert pressure for the completion of the long-due Melamchi drinking water project.
Member of Parliament Sobita Gautam will lead the Sindhupalchok-Kathmandu pressure-exerting journey that involves a march from Melamchi drinking water project office in Peepalbot to Helambu. During the march suggestions and complaints of the residents of the local settlements will also be gathered.
The journey will be led by 21 RSP members including MPs. In the first phase of the campaign, three projects each will be selected from each province and pressure will be put on completing those 21 projects.
MP Gautam said that the RSP is organising the pressure-exerting campaign to draw the government’s attention towards the state of the ailing and stalled development projects in the country.
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Light snowfall along with rain today
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The weather is partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Sudur Paschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki provinces while it is mainly clear in the rest of the country is mainly clear today. This is due to the partial effect of westerly winds.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the weather this afternoon will be generally cloudy in many places of Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces with light rain in some places in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces.
It started raining in the morning in Sudur Pachim and while there is light snowfall taking place in some high hilly and mountainous areas of Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces.
Light rainfall will continue in the high and mountainous areas of the country later today but the weather in other parts of the country will improve and the temperature will gradually increase starting tomorrow, said meteorologist Govinda Jha.
Similarly, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy across the country tonight. There is possibility of light rain in some places of Sudur Paschim, Karnali, Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces and light snowfall in a few places in the mountainous region of the country.
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature of Kathmandu today is 4.6 degrees and the maximum temperature will remain between 15 and 17 degrees centigrade, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.
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Wild boar menace panics villagers in Achham
Acham, Feb 4 : The entire village of Dandagaun at Mangalsen municipality-6 in Achham district has been suffering from wild boar menace.
Since the invasive beasts started entering human settlement, the villagers have stopped stepping out of their houses fearing the attack. Aarati Bhandari, 24, of Dandagaun, was attacked by wild boar on January 22 while she had gone to take a shower in outdoor bathroom.
Critically injured in the attack, she was referred to Nepalgunj from the District Hospital for further treatment. Similarly, Deukala Bhandari, 79, from the same place was also mauled by wild boar on January 30 while she was returning home from her farmland. She was seriously hurt in the attack and was sent to provincial hospital at Surkhet district for further treatment.
As the wild boars started prowling in the village area, the villagers faced difficulty to move around alone even in broad daylight. Increasing cases of attack on humans has further panicked people, shared Jhuma Bhandari, a local resident.
Incidents of wild boar assaults are on the rise in the adjacent village at ward no 7 of the municipality as well. People from Janalibandali are also terrorized by the wild beasts that also cause damages to crops and properties in farmland.
Two local residents sustained injuries from the attack on January 30. Both are undergoing treatment in a local health facility, said Chief of District Police Office, DSP Santosh Pathak. Locals have demanded safety from the wild boars menace, as these wild animals’ invasions recurred in the village both at nights and days.
Division Forest Office’s Chief Janak Upadhyay shared that they have requested the Province Forest Directorate to send a technical team to address wild boar problems since there were no technical human resources available in Achham.
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Chinese tourist found dead at Thamel
Kathmandu, Feb 4 : A Chinese tourist was found dead at Thamel on Saturday evening. The 47-year-old tourist, Wao Gwang, was found dead in his room at Nepalaya Home Hostel, according to Superintendent of Police at District Police Office, Kumodh Dhungel.
Gwang had been staying in Nepalaya Home Hostel, Thamel since January 24. Police team reached the Hostel after receiving information on the incident. Dhungel further informed that the dead body was taken to TU Teaching Hospital for postmortem. No evidence on cause of Gwang’s death was found at site. Investigation into the incident is underway, police added.
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SAAF Championship: Nepal defeats Bhutan
Kathmandu, Feb 4: Nepal secured victory by defeating Bhutan in today’s match under the South Asian Football Federation (SAAF) U-19 Women Championship.
In the match held at BSSS Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Bangladesh, Nepal won Bhutan 1-0. With this victory, Nepal tied on three top three points. Senu Pariyar, who scored the goal for Nepal in 54th minute of the match, became the decisive one for Nepal.
Earlier in first match, Nepal conceded defeat from Bhutan by 3-1 while Bhutan was defeated by India in the first match. In the match where Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and India are competing, the top two teams in the point table will reach the finals.
Nepal is slated to play its third match against India on coming February 6.
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DPM Khadka for speeding up Kathmandu-Tarai expressway
Kathmandu, Feb 4: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has observed that most of the development projects under the ministry had satisfactory progress. DPM Khadka said it during a second quarterly review meeting on Sunday.
He however directed Nepal Army to complete Kathmandu-Tarai expressway in time. The technicians involved in this project need to increase monitoring and inspection of field. Quality assurance is equally important, DPM Khadka reminded.
According to him, inter-agency coordination, adequate budget, capacity building of Nepal Army and full utilization of equipment are required to accelerate the development projects. Khadka expressed concern over limiting review meetings in formality.
On the occasion, Joint Secretary at ministry Baburam Adhikari made presentation on development projects run under ministry and Nepal Army. Ministry Secretary Kiran Raj Sharma pointed out prioritizing clearing arrears. He also directed the bodies concerned to complete the projects in time to realize benefits.
Similarly, member of the National Planning Commission, Dr Ram Kumar Phunyal, viewed it was full of hassles to use riverbed materials for construction. The raw materials should be made available at local levels, he added.
The NPC member also suggested ministry that it eased land acquisition and tree felling to speed up development projects. Moreover, Chief of Army Staff, Prabhu Ram Sharma, committed to complete development projects the NA was running in the stipulated timeframe and quality.
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Winter session of Federal Parliament beginning Monday
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The winter session of the Federal Parliament is beginning on Monday. The Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Devraj Ghimire, shared that entire preparations for the parliamentary meetings were over.
Taking stock about the ongoing preparations of the Federal Parliament’s winter session today, Speaker Ghimire said the winter session of the parliament should pass more bills required for the state.
He also shared that a commitment has been made to work by making the calendar of the parliamentary session and make the winter session more effective.
Ghimire stated that the government has assured to give more business to the House by tabling bills. “All should have their efforts to make laws as per the target by giving business to the House. We should move ahead by learning lessons to create rays of hope, not the disappointments,” the Speaker added.
Likewise, Assistant Spokesperson of the Federal Parliament, Dasharath Dhamala, said that the Speaker has already held consultations with the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs regarding the bills.
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Govt. bringing Nat’l Cancer Control Strategy
Kathmandu, Feb 4: In order to fight against cancer by unveiling new plan of actions, the government is working for the formulation of the National Cancer Control Strategy 2080-87.
The Ministry of Health and Population held a consultation meeting with the stakeholders on Sunday on the same issue on the occasion of World Cancer Day-2024.
During the event, Health Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet called for concerted efforts of all for the control of cancer adding that the Strategy is expected to provide a great support for the reduction and control of the diseases gradually.
The Strategy has the vision to promote a healthy life by reducing mortality rate and prevalence of the cancer disease. On the occasion, the doctors drew attention of the government to increase supply of equipment and health workers along with increasing awareness for controlling cancer and ensuring access to treatment.
Chief of Oncology Department at Bir Hospital Prof Dr Bibek Acharya drew serious attention of the government for the lack of radiation machines, one of the key equipment needed for cancer treatment. He viewed that as high as 35 such radiation machines are required in the country but the number of radiation machines is just 11 at the state-owned and private hospitals.
Prof Dr Acharya shared that accessible treatment for cancer is possible if the state took initiatives for this and added that the patients are waiting for four months for their turn in Bir Hospital while they are obliged to wait for three months in Bhaktapur Hospital.
He suggested that awareness campaigns were needed against lung cancer and uterine cancer as well as HPV vaccine should be given and its screening should be increased. The World Cancer Day was observed by organising various programmes against cancer in the country. The day is celebrated every year on February 4, with the theme for this year internationally being “Together, we challenge those in power”. However, the theme for the day in Nepal is ‘ Challenge of Cancer is on the Rise, Let’s Increase Access to Care’.
It is said that about one-third of cancer deaths are caused due to tobacco use, obesity, alcohol consumption, unhealthy lifestyle and others. Similarly, the most common is lung cancer.
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‘Parties should work to institutionalize achievements’
Kathmandu, Feb 4: CPN (UML) general secretary Shanker Pokhrel has admitted that the political parties failed to bring about changes in people’s livelihood despite their success in obtaining political achievements.
Addressing a gathering of intellects here Sunday, leader Pokhrel urged the political parties to work for the institutionalization of political transformation.
On the occasion, Nepali Congress leader Dr Chandra Bhandari said that the current political leadership should handover their responsibility to the new generation if they could not deliver properly.
Likewise, former Dean of Tribhuvan University’s Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Triratna Manandhar said the older generation should be ready to teach the new generation while the latter should be ready to take the responsibility.
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‘Karnali awaits freedom from poverty and unemployment’
Karnali, Feb 4: Chief of Karnali Province Tilak Pariyar said Karnali is desperately waiting for freedom from poverty and unemployment.
Inaugurating the main ceremony marking the 6th Province Assembly establishment day organized by the Karnali Province Assembly Secretariat here Sunday, Province Chief Pariyar called for laying basis for equitable and just society.
Pariyar reiterated, “It is imperative that the Karnali assumes the heights of development, good governance, social justice and prosperity.” Stating that the Karnali Province Assembly is the supreme body of the sovereign people’s representatives in Karnali, he urged the Province Assembly members to serve people by rising above political biasness and acknowledge importance and relevance of Province Assembly.
Similarly, Karnali Province Chief Minister Raj Kumar Sharma shared that the provincial government was going to implement sequential and multi-year plans to unveil development and elevate people’s living standard.
Leader of opposition party in the Province Assembly, Yamlal Kandel, admitted that the development endeavors were not at par with people’s expectations. “The state of people in rural areas in Karnali reflects whether the government has delivered well, he cast satire.
Speaker of the Province Assembly Nanda Gurung argued that the Province Assembly, which is a common platform for people’s representatives, should function focusing on people’s concern and hope. Various cultural shows were organized on the occasion. Present in the event were provincial ministers, assembly members, Planning Commission’s vice-chairperson and members, chief secretary of provincial government, people’s representatives and media persons.
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Balkumari incident: Probe panel’s deadline extended
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The deadline of the commission formed by the government to inquire about the unpleasant accident happened at Balkumari in Lalitpur district on January 1 has been extended by 15 days.
According to the Spokesperson at the Ministry of Home Affairs Yekdev Adhikari, the commission has been given 15 days more to investigate into the case as it could not complete the investigation job in the given time of 30 days.
The government had formed a commission under the leadership of former High Court judge Shekhar Paudel to carry out a fair and objective investigation of the incident. Former Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police Arun BC and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai are other members of the commission.
Two youths Birendra Shah of Chowrapati Rural Municipality-1 in Achham and Sujan Raut of Mahabu Rural Municipality-6 in Dailekh were killed after police fired at protestors during the demonstration that took place on December 29, 2023 in front of Employment Permit System (EPS) Korea branch office at Balkumari.
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‘Forward agenda of good governance and rights together’
Janakpurdham, Feb 4: Leaders of political parties representing in Madhes Province and the Province Chief have stressed that agenda of good governance and rights could be forwarded together for the enforcement of federalism.
Addressing a programme organized here on the occasion of the 6th establishment day of Province Assembly on Sunday, the speakers viewed good governance should be reflected in public, while unity among political parties could help foster agenda of devolution of authority.
Chief of Madhes Province, Hari Shankar Mishra, viewed the political parties who have played roles to bring new system should be more responsible for its protection. Federalism can be reinforced once people’s representatives deliver as per people’s demands.
Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav informed that the government had taken initiatives from the very beginning to work collectively for development and good governance. Collective bargaining was forwarded in collaboration with chief ministers of other provinces to demand rights from federal governments, he added.
Similarly, Speaker Ramchandra Mandal committed that he would extend utmost cooperation from his side to bring bills and implementation of laws. Deputy Speaker Babita Kumari Raut Ishar said implementation of laws should address people’s expectation.
The leaders from Nepali Congress including parliamentary party leader Krishna Prasad Yadav informed that they were working actively for the development of the province. Suggestions from all sides are taken into account while bringing budget, policy and programmes, he shared.
UML leader Dipendra Thakur, LSP leader Upendra Mahato, CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Mala Karna, Janamat leader Anita Saha, Nagarik Unmukti Party leader Urmila Devi Singh, NSP leader Bimala Ansari Tarannum also expressed their views. They said strong coordination among three tiers of government is imperative.
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Ichchharaj handed down 3-year jail term, fined over Rs 1.72 billion
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The Special Court has sentenced Ichchharaj Tamang to three years in jail and fined over Rs 1.72 billion after he was found guilty in money laundering case.
A bench comprising Chairperson of the Special Court Tek Narayan Kunwar and Justices Tejnarayan Singh Rai and Murari Babu Shrestha issued the verdict convicting Tamang on Sunday.
The Court, determining the punishment, pronounced the verdict, finding Tamang guilty. Tamang was in custody for investigation in the Civil Cooperatives scam. Although the court found him guilty on January 21, he was scheduled for appearance in the court today to determine the punishment.
The Court has also announced a year and half of imprisonment to Tamang’s wife Srijana Shakya and slapped a fine of over Rs 1.35 billion. In the same case, the Court pronounced verdict that Keshav Lal Shrestha will be put behind the bar for a year and half and over Rs 250 million has been sought as a recovery from the loss he caused.
All the properties owned by Ichchharaj Tamang, Srijana Shakya, Keshav Lal Shrestha, Meena Shrestha, Pratikshya Tamang and Pratistha Tamang shall be confiscated, the Court delivered in its verdict.
The Department of Money Laundering Investigation had filed a case against former Chairperson of Civil Cooperatives, Ichchharaj, and six members of his family on September 1, 2022.
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Gold trader shot at in Nawalparasi
Nawalparasi, Feb 4: Gajendra Bishwakarma, a gold trader in Nawalparasi, was shot at on Saturday. An unidentified group attacked Bishwakarma, a permanent resident of Bardaghat municipality-4, near Kukurmara of Bardaghat municipality-16 as he was on his way home after closing his gold outlet at Susta rural municipality-1, police said.
The injured Bishwakarma is currently undergoing treatment at the Bhairahawa-based Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, having sustained a bullet injury to his arm. The police are searching for the potential assailants, according Resham Bohora, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Information Officer at the District Police Office East Nawalparasi.
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Janamat Party’s secretariat meeting in progress
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The Janamat Party’s secretariat meeting is in progress at the Party Office, New Baneshwar.
In the meeting discussions are being held on the country’s contemporary politics, party spokesperson Dr Sarad Singh Yadav said. It is said the meeting will also discuss on making the party’s role effective in the Federal Parliament winter session commencing from tomorrow.
The party spokesman said the meeting will also hold discussions on expansion of party organization and the by-election, and make an assessment of the ward convention and the situation after the party’s pulling out of the Madhes provincial government, among other topics.
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PM Dahal vows to promote identity, representation of indigenous communities
Kathmandu, Feb 4: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has pledged to further protect and promote the knowledge and skills of indigenous nationalities, utilizing them to enhance national income.
In his address to a programme organized on the third anniversary of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission here today, the Prime Minister assured that the government would exert maximum efforts to inscribe the cultural heritages of indigenous nationalities in UNESCO and implement the Indigenous and Tribal People’s Convention.
Acknowledging the resource constraints faced by the Commission and a delay in establishing provincial offices as demanded by the relevant Act, the Prime Minister promised necessary initiatives to address the absence of proportional representation of indigenous nationalities in decision-making levels.
The formation of the Commission was a result of the struggles and sacrifices made by the indigenous community against the prolonged suppression and discrimination by the then State authority, the Prime Minister said, recognizing that such achievements were hard-won. He also praised the Commission’s role in building an inclusive and just Nepal.
The establishment of the Commission aimed to promote the identity and representation of the indigenous population in the state apparatus, utilising their skills and experiences to contribute to the development of a prosperous Nepal, he added.
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Third International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony to be held in Lumbini
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The All Nepal Bhikkhu Association is going to organise the Third International Tripitaka Chanting Ceremony in Lumbini from March 2 to 5.
The Tripitaka, Buddhism’s major religious text, is to be recited in the Mayadevi Temple and around, wishing for the world peace and human welfare.
Bhikkhu Pancha Murti Mahasthavir, the treasurer of the Organizing Committee, said the event, besides informing the international community about the Buddhist pilgrimage site, the Buddhist education, literature and philosophy and the significance of the Tripitaka, will also provide an opportunity for publicising spiritual tourism in Lumbini.
According to him, the three sub-texts of the Tripitaka – the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutra Pitaka and the Abhidharma Pitaka – will be chanted on the occasion amidst the participation of the Bhikkhus, Buddhist priests and followers from Asian nations including Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Korea and Japan, among others.
A peace march will also be organized as part of the Tripitaka chanting ceremony where the general public can also partake.
The Tripitaka is the main religious scripture of Buddhism. The followers of Buddhism of all the sects, including Hinayana, Mahayana and others have adopted this text which includes the Buddha’s teachings.
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181 AI-based CCTVs fixed in Budhanilkantha area
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The Kathmandu Valley Police Office has extended its presence to the Budhanilkantha area. As part of the ‘Safe Kathmandu: Our Commitment’ campaign initiated by the Office, 181 AI-based CCTVs have been installed in the Budhanilkantha area.
The installation of these cameras was a joint effort between the Police Office and the Budhanilkantha Municipality. The service was officially launched today, enabling the direct monitoring of activities in the area by the office from its control room.
The project, which cost Rs 50 million, was agreed upon in April. According to Senior Superintendent of Police and Office Spokesperson Dinesh Raj Mainali, the CCTVs have been placed along the Budhanilkantha route, Man Bahadur-Chunikhel route, and Kapan routes.
During the launch event, Budhanilkantha Municipality mayor Mitharam Adhikari emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the Office and the local government to enhance peace, order, and reduce crime rates in the town.
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Weather: Generally cloudy throughout country, likely to improve by Monday evening
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The weather is generally cloudy throughout the country today. This is due to effects of the Westerly wind.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light rainfall is taking place at some areas of Bagmati, Lumbini and Gandaki provinces.
According to the Division’s updates till this afternoon, the weather is clear only in the southern plains of the Koshi Province.
Division’s meteorologist Ganga Nagarkoti said the weather is expected to improve by Monday evening.
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Integrated procedure for post-quake rebuild efforts in offing
Kathmandu, Feb 4: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority is actively formulating an integrated procedure for post-earthquake reconstruction.
This new procedure aims to enhance the involvement of local levels, empowering them to play a significant role in post-quake reconstruction efforts, according to Bharatmani Pandey, Chief of the Policy and Planning Division at the Authority.
The ongoing process of developing this integrated procedure for post-quake rebuild efforts is in its final stages, with a specific focus on allocating more roles and responsibilities to the local level. Unlike the previous draft, the upcoming procedure will prioritize the leading roles of provinces and local governments in the reconstruction efforts, giving them more significant responsibilities.
The new procedure will include provisions related to retrofitting and reconstruction. A recent visit by a team from the Authority to quake-affected areas aimed to collect submissions for the formulation of this comprehensive procedure. Authority executive director Anil Pokhrel said that the draft will soon be sent to the Home Ministry for feedback.
It may be noted that the November 3 earthquake, with its epicenter in Jajarkot of Karnali Province, caused significant damage to 80,000 houses. Presently, efforts are underway to construct temporary shelters for the affected population.
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Chief Election Commissioner Thapaliya talks by-election with DPM Khadka
Kathmandu, Feb 4: Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka today on the by-election to be held for 25 various posts that have fallen vacant.
In the meeting took place at the Ministry of Defence in Singha Durbar, CEC Thapaliya and DPM Khadka discussed the recently conducted National Assembly member election and the upcoming by-election, according to the DPM’s Secretariat.
There is a constitutional provision by which the Election Commission can consult with the government regarding the election to the Member of the House of Representatives and the Province Assembly as well as the by-election to the vacant posts in the local levels.
The Commission has already suggested to the government to hold the by-election within mid-May this year. It is conducting the election to fill up these posts that have fallen vacant due to various reasons.
According to the Election Commission, the post of a Member each is vacant in the House of Representatives and the Province Assembly.
By-election is being held in Ilam constituency-2 for one member of the House of Representatives and in Province Assembly constituency-1, Bajhang election constituency-1, Sudur Paschim Province. The Ilam constituency-2 seat had fallen vacant following the death on September 12, 2023 of Subas Chandra Nembang who was elected to the House of Representatives on CPN (UML) ticket from that constituency while the Bajhang provincial assembly constituency-1 had fallen vacant after the death in a road accident of Nepali Congress Province Assembly member Prithvi Bahadur Singh.
The Commission stated that currently 25 posts have fallen vacant, including one in the House of Representatives, one in the Sudur Paschim Province Assembly, two chiefs of the District Coordination Committee, one deputy-mayor of a municipality, one Chair of a rural municipality, two vice-chairs of rural municipalities and 17 ward chairs of various local levels.
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Hotel launched targeting tourists visiting Dhaulagiri base camp
Myagdi (Beni), Feb 4: A hotel has been established in Raghuganga Rural Municipality-7 to cater to tourists visiting the southern base camp of Dhaulagiri Peak.
The initiation of this hospitality service is expected to greatly benefit tourists arriving here for trekking adventures along the Todke-Dhaulagiri, Dhaulagiri Icefall, and the Dhaulagiri Century Trek routes. Tourists coming here for trekking were facing difficulties due to the lack of accommodation and dining facilities.
The hotel has the capacity to host 10-15 people simultaneously, and the owner, Kushal Paija, expressed plans for gradual capacity expansion. The hotel is situated in the scenic Setini Valley of Raghuganga Rural Municipality-7, at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level.
Krishna Prasad Acharya, Vice-President of Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki, currently present in the area to explore and promote the Todke-Dhaulagiri Cultural Panorama Trail, hopes that the introduction of hotel services will contribute significantly to promoting tourism in Setini Valley and have a positive impact on the local tourism industry.
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