- Sunday, 17 November 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 12: Nepal has won the bilateral one-day international (ODI) series against Canada. Defeating by 9 wickets in the final match of the three-day ODI series held on Monday, Nepal won the series 3-0.
Invited to bat first after losing toss in today’s match held at Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University Ground, Canada made a total of 232 runs at the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs.
Canadian Navneet Dhaliwal scored the highest 50 runs in 82 balls. Similarly, Nikhil Dutta scored 45 runs, Saad Bin Zafar 31, Harsh Thekar 29, Sheryas Movva 25 and Srimantha Wijeyeratne scored 22 runs.
For the bowling side, Hemant Dhami took three wickets, while Kushal Malla took two and Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Aakash Chand took one wicket each.
In reply, Nepal met the target of 233 runs in 45 overs losing only one wicket. Nepal had defeated Canada by 7 runs in the first match and by 4 wickets in the second match.
Anil Shah and Bhim Sarki scored centuries to ensure the win with a partnership of 189 runs for Nepal. Anil scored 112 runs in 124 balls while Bhim contributed 101 runs in 129 balls.
Similarly, Kushal Bhurtel scored 13 runs.
For the bowling side, Shahid Ahmadzai took one wicket.
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Food festival organised at Sauraha in context of Valentine’s Day
Chitwan, Feb 12: The 18th Sauraha Food Festival has commenced in Sauraha, a riverside vacation place in Chitwan district, on the occasion of the St Valentine’s Day.
Hari Dhakal, the House of Representatives lawmaker elected from Chitwan constituency-, on Sunday, inaugurated the festival featuring various cuisines and entertainment programmes.
On the occasion, he said the State should ramp up investment for the development of tourism sector.
Bagmati Province Assembly member Krishna Prasad Khanal, Ratnanagar Municipality mayor Prahlad Sapkota, Chief District Officer Bhupendra Thapa, central vice president of Restaurant and Bar Asscoation of Nepal (REBAN), Sangharsha Bista, Hotel Association Sauraha regional president Ganga Giri, REBAN founder president Balaram Dahal, REBAN Women’s Group president Laxmi Bidari, among other speakers also put their views on the occasion.
The food festival organized by REBAN Sauraha, Chitwan will run till February 15. Festival coordinator Surya Bahadur Rimal said the festival has been organized aiming to revive tourism activities in Sauraha by promoting food, music and culture together.
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Person arrested for banking crime
Kathmandu, Feb 12: Nepal Police has arrested a person convicted of banking offence and a fine of Rs 90 million 706 thousand and 378.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police apprehended 67-year-old Ram Bhakta Thapa of Panauti Municipality-6, Kavrepalanchok in this connection and paraded him before the media on Sunday.
Bureau’s Superintendent Hobindra Bogati said Thapa was held from Koteshwor of Kathmandu. Besides the fine, Thapa has also been sentenced three years in prison. “It is found through investigation that Thapa had taken loan by influencing officials and employees of Capital Merchant and Finance Company Limited,” Bogati said.
It has come to light that Thapa had taken loan producing documents of a fake company called ‘Kabhre Broiler Suppliers’. The Then Appellate Court Patan had on May 12, 2014 convicted Thapa of banking crime and sentenced him three years in prison and a fine equivalent to the amount that he had misappropriated.
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Manavsewa Ashram rescues 10 thousand street people so far
Galkot (Baglung), Feb 12: The Manavsewa Ashram has so far rescued 10 thousand helpless street dwellers throughout the country. At the same time, the humanitarian organisation has also intensified awareness programme for making its campaign of ridding the streets free of street people successful.
In this connection, the Ashram has conducted the Mechi-Mahakali Street Dwellers Rescue Campaign twice. In its latest such campaigns, the Ashram has been raising public awareness on the value of parents and intensified its rescue of street people.
Central president of the Ashram, Ramji Adhikari, said that as part of the latest campaign highlighting the importance of parents, they have been organizing ‘Aama Seminar’ or the ‘Mother Seminar’ in various districts across the country to promote humanism, nationality, charity, love of the country and the importance of one’s parents in life.
As part of the seminar, a documentary film showing the rescue, care, family reunion of street people in course of the Ashram’s Mechi-Mahakali campaign, is screened to the seminar audience. Adhikari, who is one of the resource persons of the seminar, has been bringing home to people the notion that one’s parents are their god and one should never ever neglect them and compel them to live a life in the streets.
“It is difficult to rid the country of street dwellers only through rescuing such people. Raising public awareness is equally significant. The Aama Seminar is an effort towards driving home in the minds of the people the value of one’s parents and raising awareness to give love and care to parents,” Adhikari explained.
According to him, the Ashram has since its inception rescued 10 thousand street people so far. He urged one and all to join the campaign of making the country free of street dwelling people by 2026.
The Manavsewa Ashram is a non-profit social organization founded in Makwanpur, Hetauda, on 29 August, 2012, dedicated to making Nepal a ‘street people free country’ by helping the most vulnerable, impoverished, disabled, homeless, physically weak or mentally or psychologically challenged people who are forced to live miserable lives in the open sky street-banks and public places.
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Tourism infrastructures with investment of over Rs 60 million being built in Baglung
Dhorpatan (Baglung), Feb 12: The Gandaki provincial government has prioritized the promotion of the religious tourism sites lying in the lurch for years in Baglung district. In this connection, the Gandaki province’s Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment has started constructing tourism infrastructures at 76 places of the district this year.
The Ministry has allocated Rs 64 million for developing the tourism infrastructures in all the 10 local levels in the district. These projects are being implemented through the Tourism and Industry Office Baglung.
It is said among the 76 projects, 58 are under-construction after having concluded the contract agreement while 18 projects are in the contractual process.
The highest number of projects is in Baglung Municipality. The municipality has 20 such projects with a budgetary outlay of Rs 23.5 million, said Parasingh Thapa, the Chief of the Tourism and Industry Office Baglung. Similarly, Jaimini Municipality has 13 projects with a budgetary outlay of Rs 9.5 million, the Galkot Municipality has nine projects with an outlay of Rs 7 million and the Dhorpatan Municipality has four projects with a budget allocation of Rs 2.5 million.
Fifteen projects with an outlay of Rs 9 million are to be constructed in Kathekhola Rural Municipality, five projects are to be constructed at Badigad Rural Municipality with an investment of Rs 3 million and three projects are to be built in Nishikhola Rural Municipality at an estimated cost of Rs 3 million.
Likewise, Rs 3 million has been allocated for the construction of three tourism infrastructure projects in Tarakhola Rural Municipality, Rs 2.5 million has been allocated for developing three projects in Bareng Rural Municipality and Rs 1 million for construction of one project in Tamankhola Rural Municipality, Office Chief Thapa said.
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OPMCM starts follow up on implementation of PM’s directives
Kathmandu, Feb 12: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has started following up on the status of implementation of the directives Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ issued to the government ministers and secretaries during the ministry-wise review in the beginning of his second term in office.
The Prime Minister Office (PMO) has written to the ministries concerned, seeking reports on the progress of implementation of directives the PM issued to various ministries for work and policy related reforms.
The PMO had, on January 24, sent letters to the ministries asking them to submit progress report on the implementation of the PM’s directives, said Joint Secretary at the PMO, Khom Raj Koirala.
According to him, some ministries have not yet submitted their progress report and have been urged to do so at the earliest.
In course of the ministry-wise review, the Prime Minister had issued 10-point directive to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and seven-point directives each to the Ministry of Water Supply and the Ministry of Forests and Environment.
Similarly, the PM gave eight-point directive to the Urban Development Ministry, asking it to submit the modality and plan for executing the concept of ‘One Model Integrated Settlement, One Local Level’ targeted to the impoverished, underprivileged and marginalized communities, and the plan of transforming the traditional bus parks in all cities of the country into smart bus parks, among others.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport was issued 13-point directives and urged to submit to the PMO the realistic details of works related to extending the reach of roadways to all the rural settlements, except those where this was not feasible due to geographical difficulties, and to reducing the production cost of goods and services produced by the farmers in the remote areas and to ensure their accessibility to the market. The Ministry was also urged to develop a special plan on issuing driving license and putting to an end once and for all the situation of development projects not completed within the deadline and remaining in limbo.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security was given 17-point directives and asked to present a plan for maintaining a balance between demand and supply by preparing integrated details of employers and workers and to develop a mechanism for the same in all the 753 local levels. It was also urged to make arrangements for providing medical treatment to the Nepali migrant workers in foreign countries who are injured or incapacitated during their work.
Similarly, the PM had issued an eight-point directive to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. Among the directives include running the ‘Let Us Send One Nepali and One Foreign Friend to Nepal Campaign’ under the leadership of NRNA and appointing an internationally renowned person as the tourism promoter of Nepal.
Meanwhile, Secretary at the Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation, Suresh Acharya said that they have prepared the report as per the PM’s directives and forwarded the same to the PMO. According to him, he PMO had issued to the Ministry an eight-point directive, including on the situation of demand and supply of drinking water in the Kathmandu Valley and on removing the problems seen in water supply and sewerage in 23 different big cities of the country, among others.
The PMO had asked the Ministry of Forests and Environment to carry out a study and prepare a report on the latest status of community forests for ensuring accessibility of every marginalized, indigent community to the benefits available from the forest resources. Ministry Secretary Dr Deepak Kumar Kharal said the directives received from the PMO are under implementation and the information about this would be provided to it soon.
Spokesperson for the OPMCM Narayan Prasad Bhatta said that they are regularly prodding the ministries regarding the status of implementation of the PM’s directives and the detailed reports have also been received from several ministries in this connection.
The ministries have been urged to regularly submit the progress report on the PM’s directives to the Infrastructure Development Division at the OPMCM on a fortnightly basis, Bhatta said.
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Karki elected chair of Nepal Trans Himalaya Border Commerce Association
Chautara ( Sindhupalchowk), Feb 12: Ramhari Karki has been elected as the new chair of the Nepal Trans Himalaya Border Commerce Association. The election took place during the Association’s 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 12th Convention, where Karki secured victory with 434 votes, defeating his competitor Lopsang Sherpa by 13 ballots.
Furthermore, Ganga Bahadur Ghimire (442 votes) and Ramchandra Parjauli (443 votes) have been elected as the two senior vice chairpersons for the Association. The newly elected secretaries on the committee include Bikash Prasad Rijal, Angdorje Sherpa, Tulasi Raut (Shyam), and Subba Shrestha.
Other office-bearers including committee members were elected unopposed. The elections for positions where unanimous selections were
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PM submits National Security Council’s report to President
Kathmandu, Feb 12: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, also the Chair of the National Security Council, called on President Ramchandra Paudel today to present the Council’s annual report.
Upon receiving the report, President Paudel expressed hope that the Council would consistently act with caution in promoting the interests of nationality, sovereignty, independence, integrity, and national security. During the meeting, the President spoke the need of enhancing the nation’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and autonomy. He also stressed the need for promoting cultural, religious, linguistic, and communal harmony, social tolerance and unity, and strengthening the national social security system. Furthermore, he underscored the effective implementation of the national security policy.
President Paudel commended the Council for presenting the report with a strategic outlook concerning nationality, sovereignty, integrity, and security. According to Article 266(3) of the Constitution, the Council is mandated to submit its annual report to the President.
Among those present on the occasion were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat.
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No public holiday on Fagun 1: Home Ministry
Kathmandu, Feb 12: The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that there will be no public holiday on Fagun 1 (February 13) this year. In a notice issued today, Ministry’s joint-secretary and spokesperson, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed that the decision to revoke the holiday being based on the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Earlier, the government had announced a public holiday on Fagun 1 to commemorate the ‘people’s war day’. However, the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, leading to the apex court’s directive ordering the government to rescind it. Consequently, the Council of Ministers on February 8 officially decided to discontinue the provision of a public holiday on Fagun 1 each year.
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NA session: government’s attention drawn to need to generate job opportunities
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Kathmandu, Feb 12: In today’s session of the National Assembly, members raised concerns about the pressing need to create sufficient job opportunities within the country to prevent a mass exodus of youths seeking employment abroad.
Airing their views in a special hour of the NA today, the lawmakers highlighted the need of collective efforts to establish good governance and achieve prosperity.
Kumar Dasaudi advised the government to introduce and implement programs that instill hope among citizens, encouraging them to stay and work within the country. Jitendra Narayan Dev urged the government to thoroughly analyze the current situation and respond accordingly, acknowledging the challenging and crisis-ridden national scenario. He underlined the need of unity to promote the overall interests of the nation in its pursuit of socialism.
Nar Bahadur Bista called for effective government intervention to curb the grabbing of public land and intensify efforts to prevent policy corruption. While noting improvements in public service delivery, he stressed the need for continued progress.
Rajendra Laxmi Gaire echoed the urgency of concluding the peace process swiftly and advocated for the implementation of a gender-responsive budget. She also urged the government to ensure timely payments to construction companies, facilitating the acceleration of national pride projects.
Narayan Prasad Dahal viewed that the success of people’s representatives lies in keeping citizens’ agendas and national prosperity at the forefront of their performance. Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa urged the government to remain impartial and resist undue pressures while investigating cases of corruption.
“The government serves as a guardian of the citizens. Its role is executive and lawmakers are responsible for making the government accountable to the issues of citizens, their livelihood and nationality.”
Thapa stressed the importance of the government taking diplomatic initiatives to promptly rescue Nepalis from war-affected regions. “There are reports that 15,000 Nepali are recruited in the Russian army and the government should proceed with bringing them back to home safely.”
Radheshyam Paswan alerted the government to the urgency of formulating the 40 laws demanded by the Constitution.
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NA endorses Bill to establish Dashrath Chand Health Science University
Kathmandu, Feb 12: The National Assembly today endorsed the ‘Martyr Dashrath Chand Health Science University Bill, 2080 BS’.
The Minister of State for Education, Science, and Technology, Pramila Kumari, proposed the meeting to pass the bill, highlighting the government’s objective to ensure quality health services for citizens through the establishment of the university.
Prior to this, various lawmakers took part in the deliberations on the bill and in response to their queries, the State Minister said the bill aimed to provide quality medical education and healthcare facilities, particularly focusing on the Sudur Paschim Province.
Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), Yubraj Sharma, Suresh Ale Magar, and Kamala Panta contributed to the deliberations.Furthermore, the meeting unanimously accepted a proposal to amend some acts related to preventing money laundering and promoting a business-friendly atmosphere in the country.
The proposal was tabled by Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Dhan Raj Gurung. Bhagawati Neupane, Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), Radheshyam Paswan, Bhairav Sundar Shrestha, Tulasa Kumari Dahal, Ramchandra Ray and Devendra Dahal took part in the deliberations,
In response to queries raised during the deliberations on the proposal, the Minister said the bill aimed to strengthen laws against the financial crimes. Besides, it is expected to be helpful in promoting financial transparency, building investment-friendly atmosphere and establishing good governance, according to him.
As the Minister highlighted, the bill is proposed to discourage illegal financial practices such as the Hundi business, transactions involving crypto currency, and activities related to terrorism.
During the meeting, Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee President, Prakash Panth, tabled the committee’s annual reports for the fiscal years 2079-80 BS (2022-23). The NA shall meet again at 1:01 pm on coming Sunday, February 18.
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Parliamentary delegation presents visit report to PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 12: A parliamentary delegation that visited China last December submitted its visit report to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. The team headed by CPN (Maoist Centre) chief whip Hitraj Pandey presented the report to the Prime Minister amidst a programme today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
Upon receiving the report, the Prime Minister pledged to consider the report’s submissions in the government’s upcoming policies and programmes.
The parliamentary delegation visited China from December 18 to 30, 2023 at the invitation of the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) under the Ministry of Commerce, China.
Fourteen members from House of Representatives, three from the National Assembly and Federal Parliament Secretariat secretary Sudarshan Khadka were among those who visited China in course of attending the ‘workshop for Nepal’s legislators’.
Team leader Pandey said the report has been already submitted to the Speaker, NA Chair, Federal Parliament Secretariat and the government with a request to implement it.
The delegation advised the government to focus on a people-centric development model for achieving overall development and prosperity. It also calls for the honest implementation of bilateral agreements, strengthening the State’s right to land for development, creating an investment-friendly atmosphere for Chinese investments, and launching programs to attract Chinese tourists.
The team also suggested linking rural settlements with road connectivity, ensuring smooth supply of seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural tools to farmers, identifying potential tourist destinations and promoting them, and developing new villages with IT and other facilities.
The report also underscored the need of promoting simultaneous development and environmental protection, along with making necessary preparations before any official visits.
Similarly, recommendations have been made for the government to consider opening borders with China and streamline their operations. It is suggested to allocate budget for the construction of a building for the Nepali Embassy in China and to ensure the active participation of provinces and local levels during official visits to China.
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‘Tungana’ launched at World Book Fair in New Delhi
Kathmandu, Feb 12: On the second day of the ongoing World Book Fair, 2024 in New Delhi, the capital of India, Nepali poet Amar Akash’s first poetry collection ‘Tungana’ was released at the International Pavilion.
The event held today featured the presence of Odiya poet and former Ambassador Amarendra Khatua, Himalayan poet Yuyutsu Sharma, poet and historian Radha Chakraborty, along with several other Indian poets. On the occasion, Pratik Magazine’s Australia issue was also launched.
In the multilingual poetry reading held at the fair, poets recited their poems in Tamil, Hindi, English, Nepali and other languages. In the event, Yuyutsu Sharma recited the title poem ‘Tungana’ in English.
Several poets such as Manoj Krishnan, Mandira Ghosh, Usha Muju Munsi, Rachna Joshi Sanjula Sharma, Poonam Suri, Rumki Vasu, Swati Ramble Sharma, Priyasha Mohanty, Eval Bharti and others highlighted the significance of the event with their poetic recitations.
Shreejana Bhandari, Director of White Lotus Book Shop Kathmandu concluded the programme stating such events will strengthen the cultural exchange between different countries and strengthen friendly relations and help Nepali poets known around the world.The fair will conclude on February 18.
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Estimates of revenue and expenditure reduced
Kathmandu, Feb 12: The government has reduced the revenue and expenditure estimates for the current fiscal year 2080/81 after a mid-review of the budget.
For the current financial year, revised estimates is worth 87.38 percent of the initially allocated budget, i.e. 1530.26 billion rupees.
Finance Minister Dr Prakasharan Mahat said that the estimate has been revised so that 88.84 percent will be spent under current expenditure, 84.13 percent under the capital and 87.39 percent on the financial arrangement compared to the initial allocation.
By the end of the current year, it is estimated that Rs.1309.3 billion worth of revenue and domestic loan, Rs. 40.12 billion worth of foreign assistance and Rs. 180.83 billion worth of foreign loan will be spent.
Although the steps taken by the government to improve the economy are gradually showing results, Finance Minister Dr Mahat clarified that the state of low revenue collection and weak budget expenditure is still present. Though the revenue collection has increased compared to last year it is a little less than the initial target.
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20 per cent people living below poverty line, Statistics Office says
Kathmandu, Feb 12: The National Statistics Office (NSO) has stated that 20.27 per cent people still live below the poverty line in Nepal.
Releasing the Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLSS) 2079-080 here Monday, the NSO said that country’s poverty rate could not decrease as expected due to Gorkha Earthquake of 2015 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the NLSS report, the rate of poverty is intense in the rural areas compared to the cities, with the poverty rate in the cities remaining 18.34 per cent while it is 24.66 per cent in the rural areas.
During the programme, National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha argued that the country’s progress in poverty alleviation has faded due to the corona pandemic, natural disasters and other reasons.
As per the survey, four provinces have more poverty rate against the national record of the poverty rate. Sudurpaschim Province has the highest rate of poverty with 34.16 per cent while Karnali Province has 26.69 per cent, 24.35 per cent in Lumbini Province and 22.53 per cent in Madhes Province.
Gandaki has the least poverty rate with 11.88 per cent followed by 12.59 per cent in Bagmati and 17.19 per cent in Koshi Province.
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President Paudel felicitates Singer Paudel
Kathmandu, Feb 12: President Ram Chandra Paudel has felicitated Nepali singer Menuka Paudel, who reached the top ten of Indian Idol singer competition.
President Paudel honoured singer Paudel at a ceremony held at the Office of the President today.
On the occasion, President Paudel said that the singer’s hard work and ability has increased the pride of all Nepalis. He said that singer Paudel has shown that people will achieve success through continuous practice and dedication.
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Convenor and Members selected to NC Finance Subcommittee
Kathmandu, Feb 12: Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has selected coordinator and members to the finance sub-committee of the party to prepare for meeting of the general committee to start on February 19.
As Coordinator of the main preparation committee, Deuba has nominated NC central member Anil Kumar Rungta, as the coordinator of the “Finance Sub-Committee” and Umesh Shrestha and Mohan Acharya, Chair of Bagmati Province, Indra Bahadur Baniya and chair of Sankhuwasabha Deepak Khadka as the members.
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District Judge Acharya transferred to Mugu
Kathmandu, Feb 12: Judge of Kathmandu District Court Yagya Prasad Acharya has been transferred to Mugu District Court.
Judge Acharya, who ordered to release business person Arun Kumar Chaudhary and two others on a general date in connection to their involvement in the embezzlement of 10 ropani of land of Bansbari Leather and Shoe Factory, was sent to Mugu District Court, the Supreme Court Administration said.
Judge Acharya on February 4 had ordered the Central Bureau of Nepal Police to complete the remaining tasks of the investigations within two days stating that there was no need to keep them in the police custody for the investigation purpose.
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