- Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 18 : The anti-graft body on Sunday registered a corruption case at the Special Court against 15 peoples, including former secretaries for their alleged involvement in the irregularities on the Melamchi Drinking Water Project, a national pride project.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) said the graft cases were filed against consultants and construction company, CMC, after finding that it was paid prior to carrying out construction works relating to the Project.
After it found damages on the public property, the CIAA has registered the case against former secretary Sanjay Sharma and Joint-Secretary Mukunda Prasad Poudel, demanding the fine of Rs 60 million from both accused and demanding equal amount in recovery.
Similarly, the CIAA has sought over Rs 40 million in penalty from erstwhile secretary at the Ministry of Water Supply, Bhim Prasad Upadhyay and over Rs 600 million from Gajendra Kumar Thakur, erstwhile secretary at the same ministry.
Over 110 million has been claimed in fine from Rudra Singh Tamang, erstwhile board member of the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee. The CIAA has demanded over Rs 710 million from Chandra Bahadur Thapa, the then board member of the Committee, while over Rs 220 million from Ghanashyam Bhattarai, erstwhile executive director of the Committee in penalty.
Likewise, the CIAA said a charge-sheet was filed at the Special Court against then Executive Director of Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee Ram Chandra Devkota, warranting Rs 323.5 million in fine.
Furthermore, another then Executive Director of Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee, Surya Raj Kandel, is also an accused in the case and the charge-sheet warrants Rs 890.8 million in fine. The other accused in it are the then Under Secretary Mani Bhadra Neupane, Accounts Officer Ram Chandra Neupane, the then Under Secretary Beg Nath Poudel, the then Under Secretary Kedar Prasad Aryal and Committee’s Deputy Executive Director Bhoj Bikram Thapa.
The CIAA has further wanted Rs 323.5 million in fine from Mani Bhadra Neupane, Ram Chandra Neupane, Poudel and Thapa while Rs 447.3 million in fine from Aryal. Issuing a press statement CIAA Spokesperson Narahari Ghimire said that Deputy Team Leader Shiva Kumar Sharma of consulting firm Eptisa-BETS JV has also been sued, seeking Rs 483.6 million in fine.
The case filed at the Special Court on Sunday sought Rs 875.8 million in fine from a consulting company named Eptisa Services De Ingenieris S.L and BETS Consulting Services Ltd JV.
Similarly, construction entrepreneur CMC di Ravena faced the charge-sheet, seeking Rs 651.4 million in fine.
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President Paudel observes Madhavnarayan Mela
Kathmandu, Feb 18: President Ramchandra Paudel visited Shalinadi in Shankharapur municipality this morning and participated in the Madhavanarayan Mela as part of the Shree Swasthani Brata Katha.
On the occasion, President Paudel paid obeisance and worshipped Shri Swasthani and Madhavnarayan. He also performed worship at the Bajrayogini temple.
Speaking in brief on the occasion, President Paudel said that it was a matter of happiness for him to visit the Bajrayogini Temple that carries ancient, historical, cultural and touristic importance.
He expressed the belief that the state will give special attention to the development of Bajrayogini and Shalinadi area, which, he said, has historical importance from the time of then princess Bhrikuti and Songtsen Gampo.
Sobita Gautam, Member of Parliament elected from Kathmandu Constituency No. 2, who invited the President to visit Shalinadi, expressed her belief that the visit of the President will draw the attention of the government on the further preservation and management of Shalinadi. “Though the Shalinadi and Madhavanarayan temples are important from mythological and religious point of view, they have been neglected”, she said.
Likewise, people’s representatives including MPs and the mayor and deputy mayor of the municipality complained that despite being an area of religious, cultural and historical importance, reconstruction work of Shalinadi area has not picked up speed while some development works remain incomplete.
Around 300,000 devotees visit Shalinadi fair every year.
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PM Dahal to respond to MPs queries in HoR today
Kathmandu, Feb 18: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is scheduled to respond to queries from MPs at the House of Representatives today.
The meeting of the lower house is underway. According to the Parliament Secretariat, the bill on ‘Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Medical Sciences, 2080’ which originated in the National Assembly will be presented in the HoR.
Likewise, Chairperson of the State Affairs and good governance committee, Ramhari Khatiwada, will submit the ‘Report on Monitoring and Evaluation Bill, 2080. The proposal put forward by MP Prem Suwal to reject the Financial Procedures and Financial Liability (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2080 will also be presented for a decision today.
Furthermore, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat will table a proposal seeking consideration on ‘Banking Offenses and Punishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2080’.
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Chure master plan will be revised: Prime Minister Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 18: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the Chure Conservation Master Plan will be revised to make conservation efforts of the Chure region more effective.
Responding to the MP’s queries in the meeting today of the House of Representatives, he said that the government was committed to the overall protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources of the Chure region. Chure and Madhes area conservation are being conducted through the President Chure Tarai Madhes Conservation Development Committee.
On a different note, the Prime Minister said that most of the indicators of the economy are positive though some sectors are still under pressure.
“The government is committed to generating employment within the country through macroeconomic stability and addressing the challenges facing the economy”, Prime Minister Prachanda said, “There are special programs to increase production and employment through collective entrepreneurship in agriculture, animal husbandry, cottage, small and medium-scale industries, tourism and information technology sectors.”
A new provision is being made for Nepalis in foreign land to apply for the aforementioned special programmes, he added.
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Nepal A sets Canada a victory target of 217 runs
Kathmandu, Feb 18: Nepal ‘A’ has posted a total of 216 runs against visitors Canada in the first match of the ODI series.
Invited to bat first after losing the toss in the match being played at Mulpani cricket stadium, Nepal ‘A’ lost 8 wickets in the scheduled 50 overs before posting 216 runs. Basir Ahmed scored a half century for Nepal A with an unbeaten 50 runs in 55 balls. Similarly, Rashid Khan scored 40 and Mayan Yadav added 35 runs.
For the bowling side, Captain Saad Bin Zafar took 3 wickets while Ishwarjit Sohi took two wickets.
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MP’s call for action against the culprits of Balkumari incident
Kathmandu, Feb 18: The opposition parties in the House of Representatives drew the attention of the government to take action against all those found guilty in the Balkumari incident.
Two people were killed during the protest staged by EPS Korea aspiring youths in Balkumari area of Lalitpur on December 29.
Speaking at the meeting of the lower house today, CPN (UML) whip Mahesh Bartaula demanded action against those responsible for the incident in Balkumari, while accusing the government of failing to take action against all the people found guilty by the committee formed to investigate the incident.
Likewise, President of Rastriya Swatantra Party, Ravi Lamichhane, demanded action against the guilty, while referring that the inquiry committee formed to study the fatal incident concluded that the Minister of Physical Infrastructure was responsible for the incident.
MP Prem Suwal said that the people found guilty in various cases of corruption should be punished. He also said that government should bear the expenses incurred by the parliamentarians during their foreign visits and thereby stop MPs from going on foreign visits sponsored by other countries and embassies.
As soon as today’s meeting started the opposition MPs stood up from their respective seats in protest, which led Speaker Devraj Ghimire to give them time to speak.
Meanwhile, ruling Nepali Congress MP Deepak Khadka raised the issue of leasing of Nepal Scout’s land, while claiming that all the due process was completed for the same.
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Report on M & E Bill tabled in House of Representatives
Kathmandu, Feb 18: A report on the ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Bill, 2080’ was submitted in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives. The Bill originated in the National Assembly.
Chairperson of the State Affairs and Good governance Committee, Ramhari Khatiwada, tabled the report in the meeting. On the occasion, Khatiwada said that effort has made to include the recommendations of the parliamentarians in the report.
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Policy against same individual owning business and bank, says PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 18: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the government has made legal arrangements to address the problems arising from the same individual or group owning both business and bank.
Responding to queries raised by MPs at the meeting of the House of Representatives today, Prime Minister Dahal said further policy and legal reforms are also being made towards that end. “If the limited resources of the country are confined to a selected few then it will invite various risks and also limit the outcome only to those few,” he said while pointing out to the provision that puts a limit on an individual or group to acquire loan from banks.
On a different note, the Prime Minister said the government has given high priority to increasing domestic production and job creation. “Domestic Employment Promotion Decade is being observed as a campaign to create employment opportunities within the country,” he said, “There are initiatives to increase investment in the productive sector with priority and to use dometic labor in the country itself.”
Prime Minister Dahal also shared that the format of the Prime Minister’s Employment Program will be changed and will be linked to the outcome to make it more effective.
He said that the government is committed to the implementation of fundamental rights and reservation of indigenous people in civil service. “Government is serious and committed to creating the necessary laws to protect the constitutional rights of the marginalized and underprivileged communities including the Tharu”, said Dahal.
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Anti-money Laundering Bill sent to Legislation Committee
Kathmandu, Feb 18: The meeting today of National Assembly has sent the Bill designed to amend some Acts related to the prevention of money laundering and promotion of business environment, 2079 BS to the relevant committee for clause-wise discussion.
The proposal by Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dhanraj Gurung that the bill be sent to the Legislation Management Committee for clause-wise discussion was unanimously approved by the Upper House.
Similarly, Chairperson of the Delegated Management and Government Assurance Committee Maya Prasad Sharma submitted the annual report of the Committee for the year 2079-80 in the meeting.
Chairperson of National Concern and Coordination Committee, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), tabled the study report on tier-wise inter-relationship and coordination of the Committee.
Similarly, Chairperson of the Legislation Management Committee, Jayantidevi Rai submitted the report of Committee on the ‘Bill on Legislation, 2080’.
The next meeting of the National Assembly will be held on February 23.
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Financial Procedures Ordinance approved
Kathmandu, Feb 18: The meeting today of the House of Representatives has passed the Financial Procedures and Financial Liability (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2080 by a majority.
The Ordinance was tabled by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat .
Earlier, the meeting rejected the proposal put forward by MP Prem Suwal to reject the Ordinance. The proposal of MP Suwal was rejected by a majority of the lower house.
It may be noted that on the recommendation of the government, President Ramchandra Paudel had promulgated the Financial Procedures and Financial Liability (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2080 on January 18. The Ordinance opened the door for the government to submit the principles and priorities of the budget before the parliament within the last week of February. The previous deadline for setting the budget ceiling was also amended through the ordinance.
The approval of the Ordinance also allows the government to present the principles and priorities of the government’s budget three months prior to submission of the Appropriation Bill. Earlier, the time was at least 15 days prior to submission of the Bill. There is a legal provision that the federal government should table the appropriation bill before the parliament on Jestha 15 in the Lunar Calendar.
Likewise, the MPs will now have thirty days to give their comments and feedback on the principles and priorities of the government’s budget and programs. Previously, the parliamentarians were required to do so within seven days after its submission to the parliament.
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Bill on Banking offenses and Punishment in the parliament
Kathmandu, Feb 18: The meeting today of the House of Representatives has approved the proposal seeking considering on ‘Banking Offenses and Punishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2080 by a majority.
The proposal was tabled by Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat. MPs who wish to propose amendments to the bill have been asked to submit their amendment proposals to the House of Representatives Bill Unit within 72 hours.
The Bill is intended to make the investigation, prosecution and action of criminal offenses in banking and financial sector systematic and effective.
The House of Representatives will meet next at 11 am February 22.
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Quiz contest on RSS anniversary
Kathmandu, Feb 18: A quiz contest has been organized on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of on Sunday.
In the contest organized by FNJ RSS chapter, a team led by Om Prakash Bohara stood first while those led by Bhishma Raj Ojha stood second.
Bohara’s team members were Sashidhar Adhikari and Santosh Arganwa Tharu. In Ojha’s team, the members were Kalika Khadka and Ashok Ghimire. RSS Executive Chairman Dharmendra Jha handed over the awards to the victorious teams.
Various programmes are organized to mark the 63rd anniversary of the RSS. The main celebration ceremony is being held next day- Monday.
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‘Boosting RTI regime imperative to hold authorities accountable’
Kathmandu, Feb 18: Experts and noted activists working for good governance in the south Asian countries underscored the expansion of right to information (RTI) regime to hold authorities accountable and to ensure people’s participation in governance.
Sharing that the south Asian countries face many similar challenges in the use of RTI, they viewed collaboration and network building in this sector could help whet knowledge and experience for effective RTI campaign.
Addressing a dialogue on ‘Challenges of RTI regime in South Asia’, Freedom Forum’s General Secretary Sanjeeb Ghimire opined that one of the pressing problems facing RTI is non-compliance of defined obligation by the public agencies.
Eminent RTI activist from India, Anjali Bhardwaj, said, “Unless citizens’ have access to information, democracy does not function well.” She shared that marginalized communities, who faced problems in India, were ensured rights with the use of RTI.
Executive Director at Manusher Johno Foundation of Bangladesh, Shaheen Anam, expressed that number of RTI applications needs to be increased in Bangladesh. All sides’ cooperation can boost RTI regime in south Asia, she added.
Similarly, Information Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Kishali Pinto Jayawardena, shared the struggle to bring RTI Act in Sri Lanka and informed that the Information Commission had issued thousands of orders in the past seven years to the government. Chief Information Commissioner at National Information Commission, Mahendra Man Gurung, explained the challenges of RTI in Nepal as- high RTI illiteracy, non-compliance to RTI, non-cooperation from bureaucracy, reluctance of political parties, and the digital manipulation of information.
Executive Director at The Social Architects in Sri Lanka, Sherine Xavier, viewed culture of secrecy is major challenge of RTI. The RTI must be ensured to vulnerable people. Civil society has a significant role on popularizing RTI, according to her. Moreover, working committee member of the National Campaign for People’s RTI from India, Amrita Johri, said RTI deeply reflects the health of democracy, so push back against RTI in the region could be taken as opportunity to work in unison.
Freedom Forum Executive Chief Taranath Dahal observed that RTI is lifeline of democracy. “The RTI movement must not water down, but be bolstered to make sure participatory democracy,” he said, urging experts and participants to work together for good governance with promotion of RTI.
The event was organized by Freedom Forum as part of the ongoing World Social Forum in Kathmandu.
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Govt appoints Chandika Bhatta as NOC Executive Director
Kathmandu, Feb 18 : The government has appointed Chandika Bhatta as an executive director of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).
The Cabinet meeting on Sunday took a decision to this regard, according to Minister for Communications and Information, Rekha Sharma. The government also decided to extend the term of a probe committee on dispute relating to electricity tariff for the dedicated feeder and trunk line subscribers.
Similarly, a taskforce has been formed under the coordination of secretary at Home Ministry to submit a revised draft of work procedure brought in 2074 to determine the status of disability among the people injured during armed conflict. The committee has been asked to submit report within two months. The Cabinet endorsed the National Transmission (12th amendment) Regulation, 2080 and decided to allow the presentation of bill designed to amend the Bank and Financial Institutions Act, 2073 in the federal parliament
Minister Sharma who is also the government spokesperson informed that Bhupendra Bhandari was appointed Chairman of Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), while Dr Pramod Joshi a member of Nepal Health Research Council. The Cabinet meeting approved the Probation and Parole Policy, 2080, and decided to send the report of the probe committee on dispute over NCell share sale to the related agency for implementation.
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Canada-XI beats Nepal ‘A’ by four wickets
Kathmandu, Feb 18: In the first match of the three-day ODI series, the team Canada-XI defeated Nepal ‘A’ by four wickets in the game held at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Canada-XI crushed Nepal ‘A’ by getting the target of 217 runs in 49.3 overs at the loss of six wickets. Batting first, Nepal posted a target of 217 runs to Canada-XI in 50 overs at the loss of eight wickets as Basir Ahammad made 50 runs, Rashid Khan 40 runs and Mayan Yadav 35 runs.
For Canada’s win, Nabanit Dhaliwal made the highest 80 runs in the game while Nikhil Dutt contributed 67 runs. The second match of the one-day series between Nepal and Canada is scheduled for February 20.
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‘Impartial journalism backbone of democracy’
Janakpurdham, Feb 18: Speaker of Madhesh Province Assembly Ramchandra Mandal said that impartial journalism is backbone of democracy, and it would be sustainable through the promotion of journalism.
At a seminar organized on the 63rd anniversary of in Janakpurdham on Sunday, Speaker Mandal said all state agencies should play supporting role for the institutional development of journalism.
Mandal asserted, “Supportive role of State is essential to the institutional development of journalism, while the journalists should aim bringing about positive changes in the society and motivate people.” Expressing his concern over contents in social media that, he opined, were filling the public with frustration and despair lately, Mandal urged journalists to spread hope by disseminating factual and investigative information. They can expose anomalies in the state organs to help build good governance, he suggested.
Similarly, Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan Chief Manoj Kumar Shah pledged necessary resources for the RSS to disseminate news in Maithali language from Janakpurdham. According to him, the agreement was reached between the RSS and the Sub-Metropolis in principle to provide news in Maithali language would be finalized soon.
Likewise, Chief District Officer of Dhanusha, Chakra Pani Pandey, emphasized that the journalists’ rush to news making should not evade facts. Various other speakers extended best wishes to the RSS on its anniversary function.
The RSS is holding a main celebration to mark the 63rd anniversary in federal capital next day.
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Democratic republic achievement of 7-decades’ struggle: President Paudel
Kathmandu, Feb 19 : President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed belief that democracy fosters national unity along with social justice, equality, social harmony and prosperity.
Giving a message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Democracy Day, 2080 today, President Paudel viewed the federal democratic republic is the achievement of seven-decade-long struggle Nepalis waged. On this occasion, he paid tribute to all known and unknown martyrs of various movements for the establishment of democracy in Nepal.
Paudel also extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers living in the country and abroad. “We celebrate the National Democracy Day today, Falgun-7, to commemorate the historic day on which we got freedoms from the autocratic Rana regime in 2007BS as a result of huge sacrifice,” Paudel reminded, adding that the Day is a glorious and unforgettable moment in Nepal’s history.
The President mentioned in the message that the constitution we have has adopted the federal democratic republic aiming at establishment of socialism-oriented economy based on justice and equality. He believed that the Democracy would inspire all to abide by democratic values and serve national interests.
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Madhes Province’s CM Yadav obtains vote of confidence
Dhanusha, Feb 18: Madhes Province’s Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav has obtained vote of confidence on Sunday. It is the third time he got vote of confidence since he assumed the post of the Chief Minister.
Of the 104 Province Assembly members present in the House, 69 voted for Yadav while 35 voted against him. Yadav got vote of confidence from the Province Assembly members of parties other than CPN (UML) and Janamat Party.
CM Yadav had to obtain vote of confidence yet again after two ministers from Janamat Party quit the government and withdrew party’s support to the Madhes Province government. The Province Assembly here has 24 members from CPN (UML), 22 from the Nepali Congress, 19 from Janata Samajbadi Party, 13 from Janamat Party, 9 from CPN (Maoist Centre), nine from Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, seven from CPN (Unified Socialist) and one each from Nagarik Unmukti Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party and an independent candidate.
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Commitment of all needed for functional democracy, Vice President says
Kathmandu, Feb 19: Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has said that commitment of not only of the government but also of all political parties, civil society, private sector and the media was needed for the effectiveness of democracy.
In a message today on the occasion of the National Democracy Day, the Vice President said democracy is only alternative to democracy and all should move ahead with positive mindsets in its exercise. The Vice President has recalled this day as a historic moment that achieved a success of the people’s movement in 2007 BS against the 104-year-long oligarchic Rana regime due to people’s sacrifices.
In his message, the Vice President has expressed happiness, peace and prosperity to all Nepali sisters and brothers at home and abroad on this occasion.
Vice President Yadav has also recalled and expressed condolences to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in people’s movement, Madhes movement, indigenous nationalities movement and others happened in different stages of history for the cause of democracy.
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NC Mahasamiti: 2,105 participants
Patan, Feb 18: Altogether 2,105 participants are attending the Nepali Congress (NC) Mahasamiti meeting that is beginning at Sunrise Conference Centre, Godawari in Lalitpur next day.
At a press meet organized at Lalitpur on Sunday, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, party’s chief of central information, communication and publicity department, shared that all preparation for the conclave were completed.
Among the participants, 165 are central committee office-bearers and central members, 1,780 Mahasamiti members representing from House of Representatives constituencies, 89 from Nepali Public Relations Committee and 69 from sister organizations, informed Bishwakarma.
Furthermore, presidents of province working committee, president of district working committee and central presidents of the sister organizations who are not in the Mahasamiti were invited to the conclave, it was shared.
Party President Sher Bahadur Deuba is scheduled to inaugurate the meeting. The gathering will deliberate on various reports endorsed by the party’s recently held central working committee meeting.
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‘Good-governance, prosperity and social justice mantra of govt.’
Gorkha, Feb 18 : Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that maintaining good-governance, prosperity and social justice is the mantra of the incumbent government.
Addressing a programme organized on 56th anniversary of Jivan Jyoti Secondary School at Palungtar in Gorkha on Sunday, the Deputy Prime Minister said the development works cannot make a stride sans good-governance.
“Good-governance is an inevitable precondition for making a stride in development endavours,” he argued.
On the occasion, Shrestha admitted that the government has not been able to carry out development works as expected due to lack of sufficient means and resources.
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Socialist Front meeting today
Kathmandu, Feb 18: The Socialist Front is convening a meeting today to review its organizational expansion throughout the country so far and the political activities. The meeting is taking place at the CPN (Unified Socialist) office at 9.00 am.
The meeting will also hold discussions on the contemporary political situation and the international political impact as well as review the works of the government, said the Unified Socialist’s Office Secretary Jeevan Ram Shrestha.
The Socialist Front comprises of the CPN (Maoist Centre), the Janata Samajwadi Party, the Unified Socialist and the Nepal Communist Party led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’. Unified Socialist Chair Madhav Kumar Nepal is the leader of the Front.
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Rare quartz crystal to be kept at Gorakha Durbar
Gorakha, Feb 18: A rare quartz crystal that was confiscated from a house at Satipipal of Gorakha Municipality-7 last June is to be kept at the Gorakha Durbar precincts itself.
An all-party meeting organized by the District Administration Office Gorakha on Saturday decided this, according to Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal. The valuable stone weighing 52.330 kilogrammes is now kept at the District Police Office.
The Gorakha Police had confiscated the quartz crystal from the house of local Rammaya Shahi on June 29, 2023 in suspicion that this mineral stone said to have archaeological and historical significance was being traded.
The locals of the district had also been calling for managing this valuable crystal that was kept at the Police Office for long within the district itself.
“The all-party meeting decided to keep the quartz crystal at the Gorakha Durbar after the Ministry asked to manage it in the district itself. The meeting unanimously made this decision to keep the precious object at Gorakha Durbar, as it is the property of the Gorakhalis,” CDO Dahal said. He added that the District Security Committee will determine the modality of the security of the quartz crystal that would be kept at the empty spot between Gorakha Durbar and the Gorakhkali Temple. It is said the Gorakha Municipality will manage the entire cost for the upkeep of the crystal.
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Bardibas Street Food Festival offering varieties of cuisines to visitors
Mahottari, Feb 18: The hotel and tourism entrepreneurs of Mahottari have joined hands and organized a street food festival here with the objective of publicizing their place and increasing public interest on local cuisine.
Bardibas Municipality Mayor Pralhad Kumar Chhetri inaugurated the three-day event organized by the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Mahottari here on Saturday. The street food festival is organized at the meeting point of the East-West Highway and the BP Highway, 500 metres towards the BP Highway. The Festival will run till tomorrow.
The Association stated that the Festival aims to cater a variety of food items at a single place. It believed that the event will help publicize Bardibas and increase interest in the local indigenous food varieties.
Stalls offering a variety of food items as sidra, ghongi, smoked fish, neetle soup, timbur, gundruk, tama, beans, jilebi prepared from chhena, sweets and cookies, Newari snack package and popular international cuisines have been kept in the Festival.
Apart from hotel and restaurant entrepreneurs, the hotel management and dairy students of the Nirmal Lama Polytechnic School, Khayarmara, Bardibas-11, Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM), Bardibas and the Secondary School Bardibas-8, Hathilet have also run their stalls.
There are 50 stalls preparing separate food varieties in the Festival and the visitors can observe and enjoy the taste of a range of food items. Association’s general secretary Narayan Ghimire said domestic and external tourists can satisfy their taste buds with local cuisines amidst the hospitality with a distinct identity of Madhesh.
A discount of 20 to 40 percent has been offered on the food. The Festival also features various cultural programmes.
The organizers expect that about 50 thousand people will visit the Festival which has been organized at a cost of around Rs 1.5 million.
This street food festival is also expected to contribute to the cause of a trekking campaign initiated few days back by the Association and the Bardibas Town Journalists Network, Mahottari, which aims to explore and publicize the tourism destinations and possibilities in Bardibas.
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Cold storage facility constructed in West Nawalparasi
Nawalparasi, Feb 18: Farmers in west Nawalparasi have been elated with the construction of a cold storage facility in their area for the first time.
The facility with a capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes is constructed at Sunawal at an investment of Rs 210 million. It was built under the leadership of the District Cooperatives Association and with financial contribution of the federal government, local government and the various cooperatives based in the district.
The three-storied facility with separate chambers has been constructed and is in the final stages of operation after preparing the operation guidelines, it is stated. Local farmers are attracted towards the facility and they are also motivated to take to commercial farming now, said Loknath Bhadari of Sunawal-2.
“Now we have the cold storage facility in our locality to store surplus agriculture produce. I am happy,” he added. Like Bhandari, many farmers are excited with the operation of the cold storage from this year.
Even the agriculture cooperatives have started growing crops, fruits and vegetables in large area of land.
“It is not possible to build such facility in every market. Therefore, this cold storage facility at Sunawal should be developed into a common storage centre of all farmers,” said Bishnu Poudel, the president of the District Cooperatives Association.
According to him, the Association has a plan to implement a programme for increasing the area under cultivation and agriculture production in the district.
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RSS Dialogue with Lawmaker: Balayar asserts winter session of parliament to focus on lawmaking job
Kathmandu, Feb 18: House of Representatives (HoR) lawmaker Bir Bahadur Balayar has said the current session of the Federal Parliament will focus on its key role – making laws.
In a tete a tete for RSS Dialogue with Lawmaker segment, he said the main responsibility of the parliament is making laws and keeping a watch on the government’s working. At the same time, ensuring the citizens’ rights enshrined in the constitution through legislation is another key responsibility of the parliament.
In this respect the winter session of the Federal Parliament will be totally focussed on making the important laws. Efforts are being made to finalize bills related to the peace process and transitional justice as the Bill on Truth and Reconciliation and on the Enforced Disappeared Persons, which is keenly watched by the international community.
Wider consensus is required for passing this Bill as it has to be concluded in accordance with the letter and spirit of the democratic system and the Comprehensive Peace Accord. Our emphasis is also on passing other important bills like the Federal Civil Service Bill and the Bill on Adjustment of Province Police etc from the current parliament session itself.
The lawmaker from Kailali parliamentary constituency-4 stressed on the need of reaching the rights guaranteed by the constitution to the people at the grassroots level in remote areas and the marginalized and underprivileged should get the benefit of federalism.
The parliament and the parliamentary committees are carrying out works with this objective in mind, he added.
According to him, the main responsibility of a lawmaker is to make laws and not get diverted to implementing infrastructure projects. The lawmakers should internalize this notion and the political parties too should educate the voters accordingly.
The parliamentarians should be responsible and accountable to the parliament and the parliamentary committees.
On the issue of growing corruption, Balayar opined that the questions being raised on this topic are both true and exaggerated as well. But the main thing is that the government and the person leading it should be honest and responsible to corruption control. Only paying lip-service for good governance is not enough, this should be reflected in the government’s works, activities and outcome.
At the same time the narrative that nothing positive has happened in the country is also flawed. A lot of progress has been achieved in the infrastructure development, health, transport, education, information technology and other sectors.
Leader Balayar charged that only those people who have no regret leaving the country and forsaking their Nepali citizenship, those who lack respect and dedication towards the nation are spreading this sort of despondency in the country.
He, however, underscored on creating job opportunities at home and a conducive environment for business to stop the exodus of Nepali youths abroad, calling on the government and political parties to take this issue with utmost seriousness.
In his view, it is the political leadership that should find a way out from the myriad of problems the nation at present. However, he said patience is required for this. The political leadership should urgently take measures to remove the sense of despondency seen among the people and steer the country ahead towards the path of prosperity with a renewed hope.
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Madhes Province CM seeking vote of confidence for third time today
Dhanusha, Feb 18: Chief Minister of Madhes Province Saroj Kumar Yadav is taking a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly for the third time today. A meeting of the Province Assembly has been called for 2.00 pm today for this purpose. CM Yadav is facing floor test after the Janamat Party on January 23 withdrew its support to his government.
Before this, Yadav had to take a vote of confidence for the second time on June 13, 2023 after the CPN (UML) pulled out his government on May 15, 2023.
The constitution requires that the government should seek the vote of confidence within 30 days if any party supporting it quits the government.
The Chief Minister requires the support of 54 members out of the total 107 members of the Province Assembly for winning the vote of confidence. The largest party in the Assembly, the CPN (UML) has 23 members, the Nepali Congress 22 members, the Janata Samajwadi Party 18 members, the Janamat Party 13 members and the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party and the CPN (Maoist Centre) nine members each, the CPN (Unified Socialist) has seven members while Nepal Sanghiya Samajwadi Party, the Nagarik Unmukti Party and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party each has one member. Three members are independents.
The Madhes Province government is led by the Janata Samajbadi Party. The Nepali Congress, the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, the Maoist Centre and CPN (Unified Socialist) are in the government. The government has the support of 65 members from these four parties in the ruling coalition.
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