- Monday, 18 November 2024
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has directed the stakeholders to immediately release the dues to the farmers for the milk purchase.
The PM directed to immediately pay the farmers for the purchase of the milk after summoning Minister for Finance Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal and Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday.
According to the PM’s Secretariat, the PM has directed to make payment for the farmers to be obtained from the private sector and take actions if the payments were not made.
“What is the reason for non-payment for farmers for several months? Take this issue seriously. Make facilitation to immediately pay the amount for the farmers from the private sector,” the PM directed the ministers.
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02- Armed Police Disaster Management Base at Narchang
Myagdi, Feb 26: The Armed Police Force has been established a disaster management base at Narchang of Annapurna rural municipality-4 in Myagdi.
A unit of 25 armed policepersons trained in disaster management has been established under the leadership of a police inspector. The base has been set up with the aim of speeding up search and rescue operations in case of a disaster along Beni-Jomsom-Korala Highway as well as in Myagdi, Mustang, Baglung and Parbat districts, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyam Kumar Poudel.
Earlier, armed police force teams had to be called from Pokhara and Kurintar for search and rescue in the districts. As a result, the search and rescue operation was delayed. Fadindra Gole, Police Inspector of the Armed Police Force, said that the unit has personnel trained in disaster management.
The APF base is stationed in a building constructed by the hydropower project in Narchang. The building managed by Annapurna rural municipality was used to set up a temporary hospital during the Corona Virus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the armed police force has started imparting basic skills for search and rescue at the community level in Myagdi.
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03- Rafting business in crisis due to hydropower project
Bharatpur, Feb 26: Stakeholders have expressed concern over the proposed Trishuli hydropower project inviting a crisis to the rafting business.
As preliminary work for the construction of 100 MW Super Trishuli hydropower project to be built in Gandaki Rural Municipality-1 Battar in Gorkha and Ichchakamana-3 Chumkhola in Chitwan has started, people’s representatives, rafting entrepreneurs and river conservation activists took part in a public hearing held at Fisling of Ichchakamana Rural Municipality on Sunday.
On the occasion, Provincial assembly member Krishna Silwal said that the environment and existence of rivers should not be put into danger in the name of development. He pledged to do his best to stop it.
Likewise, President of Nepal Rafting Association, Shiva Adhikari, said that the proposed hydroelectric project will put 84 companies related to the riverside rafting and boating business in a crisis. “Billions of investments in hotel business, rafting and other companies are in a crisis with the livelihood of 3,500 guides and 10,000 workers at stake,” he said.
Chair of Nepal River Conservation Trust Megh Aley said that the wealth of the nation which attracts many tourists should not be jeopardized. Development by drying up the river is unfortunate.
The Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) had earlier protested saying that the entire investment of the rafting tourism industry is going to waste with the construction of hydroelectric projects.
Trishuli is one of the major rivers for rafting among the 16 different rivers that the government has permitted for rafting.
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04- Policy reforms for infrastructure development
Sudurpaschim, Feb 26: The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development of Sudurpaschim Province has adopted a policy of going for implementation of project and plans that have completed detailed feasibility study.
At a press conference held at the Ministry on Sunday, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development Prakash Bahadur Deuba said that the criteria for the approval of multi-year projects and plans are completion of environmental impact assessment, feasibility study and required land acquisition.
He said that the tendency to disperse limited resources in small projects is being discouraged and a total of 1,960 projects are going to be implemented in the current year, including 1,750 ongoing and 210 new ones. This is expected to increase the efficiency in project management and help in achieving the target within the specified time.
Adopting the policy reforms, the ministry has reduced the 5,329 projects included in the budget program of the previous fiscal year 2079-080.
Minister Deuba said that effective implementation of the development plan can only be achieved if there is coordination and understanding between the political leadership and the bureaucracy. The ministry is also going to prepare a regional transport master plan and a master plan for irrigation and sanitation.
The work of reviewing the pride projects of the province under the ministry has been started. At the press conference, Secretary of the ministry, Suresh Kumar Bam, shed light on the policy reforms implemented in the development projects.
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05- First National women’s hockey tournament from today
Dhanusha, Feb 26: The Madan Bhandari First National Women’s Hockey Tournament kicks off today at Kshireshwarnath Municipality, Ward No. 5 of Dhanusha.
The tournament is being held at the Chhireshwar Janata Higher Secondary School playground in Mahendranagar. The tournament is organized by Madan Bhandari Sports Academy.
Teams from six provinces baring Karnali, the Nepali Army and the organizer Madan Bhandari Club are taking part in the tournament. A total 144 hockey players from the eight teams are participating in the event that will run until March 2.
The team coming out first will win a cash prize of 150,000 while the second and third will walk home with Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively, according to president of the academy, Dhruva Acharya.
Similarly, the best player will be awarded Rs 10,000 while player-of-the-match will be awarded Rs 5,000 in cash.
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06- 35k small industries added in six years
Gandaki, Feb 26: A total of 35,716 cottage and small industries have been registered in Gandaki province in the last six years,. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forestry and Environment, 32,994 businesses were registered during the same period.
Small, cottage and micro industries are registered at the tourism and industry office in the districts. A total of 35,716 domestic and small industries have been registered since the establishment of the provincial government, said Chief of the Ministry’s Industry and Commerce Division, Ram Prasad Acharya.
According to him, due to non-renewal on time, registration of some small and cottage industries have also been canceled. Some have been closed due to non-operation. There is a legal provision to register industries, tourism and industry offices with a fixed capital of less than 100 million rupees.
Although the Local Government Operation Act 2017 provides that cottage, domestic and small industries can be registered at the local level, registration for bank loans is increasing at the Tourism and Industry Office. Industry can be registered at the local level or at the tourism and industry offices in all 11 districts of the province, said Acharya.
Meanwhile, according to the policy of ‘Digital Gandaki’, digital records of 108,253 industrial and commercial firms have been maintained.
The Ministry has also prepared a detailed project report for the industrial zone to be built at Punditar in Kaski and Lokahakhola in Nawalpur.
Under ‘One Local Level, One Industrial Village’ initiative, infrastructure is being developed in 29 local levels of Gandaki Province. For this, the provincial government has invested 85 million rupees in 23 industrial villages.
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07 – College proprietor Gurung arrested on gold smuggling case
Kathmandu, Feb 26: A college proprietor has been arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case. A team of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) today held Jeewan Kumar Gurung, Chairperson of Platinum College based in Dillibazaar, Kalikasthan of Kathmandu, a permanent resident of Fulbari-2, Parbat.
CIB Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police (SP) Hobindra Bogati informed Gurung was arrested from Samakhusi. In course of the investigation, he was found to be the architect of the smuggling of 14-kg gold from Dubai.
“Gurung was at large after an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection with the smuggling of 14-kg gold from Dubai”, SP Bogati said.
The police have caught him today, he said, adding preparation is on to hand him to the Office of Customs.
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08- Bagmati province: Taskforce formed for picking leadership of
parliamentary committees
Manahari (Makawanpur), Feb 26: The political parties of the Bagmati province have agreed to pick leadership of parliamentary (province assembly) committees within mid-March. The consensus was reached at an all-party meet held on Sunday. The meeting formed a taskforce under the leadership of chief whip of the Nepali Congress for the purpose.
Nepali Congress Bagmati province parliamentary party’s chief whip Govinda Lamsal has been entrusted as the coordinator of the taskforce. The taskforce has been instructed to prepare the report after necessary consultation within 10 days.
Though all parties remained positive to run the province assembly meeting, the all-party meet did not come up with a concrete decision to that end.
The all-party meet was postponed ina way to hold another meeting at 8.00 am on February 27 when it could not forge any consensus on the resumption of parliamentary operations.
The meeting tomorrow is expected to make efforts to patch up the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties. Bagmati province chief minister Shalikram Jammakattel informed that the all-party meeting held on Sunday could not find consensus points on several contentious issues, including parliamentary operation.
Likewise, main opposition CPN-UML’s Bagmati province parliamentary party leader Jagannath Thapaliya said efforts were underway to build consensus.
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09- UML protests in parliament, session put off for 15 minutes
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Main opposition CPN (UML) has protested in the House of Representatives today. Once the meeting commenced, the UML lawmakers stood from their respective seats to chant slogans accusing the government of becoming apathetic to the issues of usury victims and dairy farmers.
Then, Speaker Devraj Ghimire allotted time to UML lawmaker Gokul Prasad Baskota to put his views. Baskota blamed the government for not addressing the contemporary issues raised in the parliament seriously and not implementing the Speaker’s ruling.
He also sought resignation from those ministers who have been in ‘controversies’.Similarly, Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s Rajendra Prasad Lingden said victims of usury and microfinances have been denied justice and the government failed to address issues of dairy farmers. He warned that the party will hit the parliament if there is no substantive development in addressing the problems.
Rastriya Swatantra Party’s lawmaker Rabi Lamichhane urged the respective ministers to respond to the Speaker’s rulings. As he said, usury victims have been denied justice due to lack of implementation of the law against the practice. As the UML lawmakers refused to follow the Speakers frequent calls to have their seats and allow the House to proceed with its business, the meeting was postponed for 15 minutes.
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10- LMC presents report in NA
Kathmandu, Feb 26: In a meeting of the National Assembly (NA) today, an annual report of the Legislative Management Committee (LMC) was presented.
Committee President Jayanti Devi Rai presented the report of the fiscal year 2079-80 BS (2022-23), informing the upper house of the Federal Parliament that the Committee held a total of 54 meetings in a year.
Similarly, National Concern and Coordination Committee President, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), presented a study report about the situation of human-wildlife conflict in national parks, wildlife reserves and buffer zones-2080 BS in the meeting.
NA Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina read out a letter sent by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers regarding allocations of portfolios of the members in the Council of Ministers.
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11- Parliamentarians press for expediting post-quake reconstruction process
Kathmandu, Feb 26: National Assembly (NA) members have demanded earliest acceleration of post-quake reconstruction works in the quake-affected districts.
It may be noted that an earthquake of 6.4 magnitude severely hit Jajarkot and its adjacent districts on November 3 last year leaving scores of causalities and fatalities and taking a heavy toll on physical properties.
In today’s meeting of the NA, CPN (Maoist Centre)’s parliamentarian Maya Prasad Sharma called for taking forward reconstruction process in the districts, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Salyan, Doti and Bajhang at the earliest possible.
Shedding light on the damages occurred in communication sector due to quake, Sharma said, “It is necessary to technically study the geography of the quake-hit areas. The geography of the affected areas has been eroded, fissures have developed in the land and thus it is necessary to study whether those places are suitable to habitat or not,” he argued.
Similarly, CPN (UML)’s Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa emphasized on the development of road, health and education sectors among others to develop Chitwan as a tourist area. “To develop religious tourism in Chitwan, areas such as Damodar kunda (origin of Narayani river), Muktinah Gosaikunda, Trishuli to Golaghat and Trivenidham should be protected and promoted as major religious spots,” she opined.
Similarly, Nepali Congress’s Rameshjung Rayamajhi voiced that the parliamentarians elected by people to fulfill their commitments and promises made to the people during the election.
He demanded that usury victims’ problems be addressed, federal law be framed at the earliest and upcoming budget be pro-public rather than being in favor of political parties or leaders.
Likewise, Singha Bahadur Bishwakarma highlighted the need for formulating laws to implement the rights enshrined in the Constitution for Dalit communities.
Other parliamentarians drawing the attention of the government on good-governance related issues were Narayan Prasad Dahal, Indu Kadariya, Shekhar Kumar Singh, Narpati Luhar and Deepa Gurung among others.
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12- Over 156,000 children in Lalitpur to be vaccinated against measles-rubella
Patan (Lalitpur), Feb 26: A total of 156,762 children in Lalitpur district are targeted to receive vaccine against measles-rubella under the nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign that kicked off since last Sunday.
According to Parthamani Neupane, Immunization Officer at the District Health Office, Lalitpur, initially children in six local government units of the district will be administered vaccines against highly contagious and airborne diseases from 622 vaccination centres.
The campaign, however, will be launched in Konjyosom and Mahakal rural municipalities in the district from February 27, shared Neupane.He informed that 159 health workers and 822 volunteers will be mobilized to make the campaign a success.The campaign will be launched within all 29 wards of the LMC till March 6.
Over 92,000 children in LMC to be vaccinated
Meanwhile, the Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC) has a total of 92,300 children to receive vaccine against measles-rubella. Around 58.88 per cent of the total number of the children within the district have been registered for the vaccine.
Sarita Maharjan, Chief of Public Health Section at LMC, shared that 212 vaccine centres have been set up within the metropolis to vaccinate children from 9 months to 15 years.
The government of Nepal had set a target to reduce measles-rubella cases to zero by 2023. Failing to meet the target within the primary deadline, the government has extended the timeline up to 2026, said Immunization Officer Neupane.
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13- Sath Sathai to observe International Women’s Day at Kalapaththar
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Sath Sathai, an organisation pitching for the agenda of climate change and women’s empowerment, has decided to observe this year’s International Women’s Day in Kalapathhar of Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) region in Solukhumbu district.
According to the organisation, the ‘special’ gathering at Kalapaththar on the occasion of the March 8 Day, aims to draw attention of national and international communities to the dire consequences of climate change in the Sagarmatha region and challenges being faced by the mountain population.
Women from different walks of life are scheduled to march up to the region. An interaction will be held with people’s representatives and community on the impact of climate change during the march, organisation president Prajeeta Karki said.
As she said, the organisation has been observing the International Women’s Day with the theme of ‘Women United for Climate Change’ at Kalapaththar for the past three years. The gathering is primarily focused on highlighting issues that mountain people are suffering as a result of snow melting and exploring ways for the solutions.
It is said a group of 25 women from different sectors will leave here for Lukla on February 29 and will engage in interaction with local representatives and communities on ‘ women empowerment for connecting government and the community for climate change’ on March 2 at Syangboche.
They will reach Kalapaththar on March 8. The gathering will draw the attention of the national and international communities to the negative impacts of climate change on community, agriculture and tourism.
This year’s International Women’s Day is being observed with the theme of ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’.
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14- NA approves withdrawal of Immigration Bill by majority
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The National Assembly (NA) has approved the proposal seeking withdrawal of the ‘Immigration Bill, 2076 BS’, which was under consideration in the National Assembly. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had presented the bill before the House.
Responding to the queries raised in the assembly, Minister Shrestha said the Immigration Bill, 2076 BS has been withdrawn as next bill to this effect will be introduced at the earliest.
“The erstwhile government had presented the Immigration Bill, 2076 seeking enactment. The incumbent government has decided to take back the bill for now. The government took the decision to withdraw the bill considering changes in the national and international contexts lately, situation to remain alert on national security and need of making immigration service well managed and modern”.
Also on the occasion, Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat had presented the proposal seeking ‘discussion over the principles and priorities of appropriation bill 2081/82’. Next meeting of the NA shall take place at 11.01 on coming Thursday.
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15 – CAN announces Rs 100 thousand monthly remuneration for grade ‘A’ male players
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has decided to provide monthly remuneration of Rs 100 thousands each to male players listed in grade ‘A’. A meeting of the CAN Board held on February 24-26 took a decision to this effect.
National cricket team captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, Dipendra Singh Airee, Asif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel are listed as ‘A’ grade cricketers.
Similarly, Rs 70,000 per month have been announced each for ‘B’ grade players, including Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Bhim Sarki, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Abhinash Bohora.
As per the Board meeting, Binod Bhandari, Arjun Saud, Sundeep Jora and Pratish GC who belong to ‘C’ grade are to get the monthly remuneration of Rs 55,000 each.
The ‘D’ grade players, including Pawan Sarraf, Sagar Dhakal, Anil Shah, Bibek Kumar Yadav, Akash Chand, Basir Ahamad and Surya Tamang are to be paid Rs 35,000 each.
The CAN has announced monthly Rs 25,000 each to those players who fall under a list of emerging group which includes Dipesh Kandel, Rupesh Singh, Rijan Dhakal, Bipin Khatri, Dev Khanal, Arjun Gharti and Hemant Dhami.
The monthly remuneration for women cricketers of grade ‘A’ has been fixed Rs 50,000 per month each. The list of ‘A’ grade women cricketers includes Indu Barma, Rubina Chhetri and Sita Rana Magar.
The ‘B’ grade women cricketers who are to be paid Rs 35,000 per month and presently, Kabita Kunwar represents this category. Puja Mahato and Ashmina Karmacharya who fall under the category of grade ‘C’ are to get Rs 30,000 per month and Apsari Begam, Kabita KC, Sangita Rai, Kajol Shrestha and Bindu Rawal representing grade ‘D’ are eligible to get Rs 25,000 each.
Similarly, the group of emerging women players comprising Soni Pakhrin, Khusi Dangol, Jyotsnika Marasini, Kanchan Shrestha, Shristi Jaisi, Samjhana Khadka and Sana Prabin are to get Rs 20,000 each per month.
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16- Parliament to commence discussions on principles and priorities of Appropriation Bill on March 4
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The parliament is to commence in-principle discussions on the Principles and Priorities of the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS from March 4.
In a meeting of the House of Representatives today, Finance Minister Dr Mahat presented a proposal specifying the need to discuss the principles and priorities of the Appropriation Bill (except taxation). The parliament is scheduled to commence discussions on the matters from March 4. As scheduled by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, the deliberations will be held on the principles and priorities of the Bill for seven days beginning on March 4 and concluding on March 17.
Office-bearers of parliamentary parties should register name of lawmakers taking part in the deliberations at the Federal Parliament Secretariat before one hour of the commencement of the session. The registration shall be made on the basis of the political representation in the parliament.
In the meeting, Federal Parliament Secretary General Padma Prasad Pandey tabled the ‘bill relating to legislation, 2080 BS’ originated in the National Assembly. The bill was tabled along with the message received from the upper house. The lower house shall meet again at 11:00 am on March 1.
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17- Quake-battered Bajhang slowly standing on its feet
Bajhang, Feb 26: Quake survivors in Bajhang district are feeling some respite since the post-quake reconstruction and resettlement process are gaining momentum in the district, thanks to the effort on the part of the government and technical and financial assistance from the donor agencies.
It may be noted that an earthquake of 6.4 magnitude severely hit Bajhang district with an epicenter in Jajarkot district on November 3 last year leaving scores of causalities and fatalities and a taking a heavy toll on physical properties in affected districts.
Bajhang was hardest hit district after Jajarkot. Aftershocks of that massive quake continue to terrorize the Bajhang residents and a recent fresh 4 Richter Scale quake have yet again stoke fear among them.
Amid this, they are hopeful that Bajhang will stand back on its feet as post-quake reconstruction and resettlement process are gradually gaining a pace.
In the first round, those rendered homeless due to quake have been shifted to temporary shelters. So far, 3000 temporary shelters made up of wood and zinc sheets are being constructed by the government of Nepal while 130 were by the UNDP and 400 by the Red Cross, according to the District Natural Disaster Relief Committee.
Among them, 1,178 shelters have been handed over to the beneficiaries by now.Tribhuvan Bastola, Project Coordinator, shared that 130 temporary shelters have been built by the MPDS Dadheldhura, a NGO, in support of Save the Children while two temporary teaching learning centres have been established in two schools and sanitation and drinking water facilities are set up in five schools.
Besides this, emergency counseling services are running for the quake-affected expecting and new mothers in the district, added Bastola.Three schools in district headquarters Chainpur were badly battered by the quake. Temporary shelters have been constructed to resume teaching learning activities in those schools, said Ishwor Bahadur Khati, people’s representative in the district.
Over 10,000 houses were damaged in the quake along with 275 public offices in the district, according to a statistic. A person died and dozens of them were injured in quake, informed Bishnu Airi, a local social leader.
Locals are trying to free themselves from the fear of quake, he opined, adding that psychosocial counseling and awareness drive on earthquake launched in the district have eased off the environment here to some extent.
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18- Noted singer, musician Acharya passes away
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Noted singer and musician Bhakta Raj Acharya passed away at the age of 82 year on Monday. Decorated with the title ‘Bhajan Shiromani’, Acharya breathed his last while being taken to hospital.
Musician Chetan Sapkota informed that Acharya was being taken to Medicity Hospital after sudden decrease of oxygen level in his body.
He had sung nearly 400 songs including- ‘Mutu jali rahechha,’ ‘Jati chot dinchhau’, ‘Jaha chhan Buddhaka ankha’, ‘Hajar ankha herne’, ‘Maya meri sanjha bihan’.
Late Acharya’s body would be kept in the premises of Academy of Music and Drama at 9:00 am for the tribute on Tuesday, according to musician Sapkota.
The late Acharya’s two sons Satya Raj and Swarup Raj are also active in the music field.
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19- Govt decides to provide Rs one million as relief to victim of Barahathawa incident
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The government has decided to provide Rs one million as monetary relief to the family of Jay Shankar Sah who died in a police firing during a protest at Barahathawa municipality-6, Sarlahi.
The meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Prime Minister’s Office, Singha Durbar, took a decision to this regard on Monday. Similarly, the meeting extended the term of the commission on control of gold smuggling till mid March.
Information to these was shared by Minister for Communications and Information, Rekha Sharma. She added the government would also approve the public procurement (13th amendment) regulation, 2080.
According to her, the Cabinet meeting formed a committee to study the report prepared by the probe commission on Balkumari incident. The committee is mandated to study the report and make recommendation to the government before March 3. The report study committee is constituted of Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dhan Raj Gurung.
The government has decided to permit Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Renu Dahal, to receive the International Mayor Award to be conferred by the British government.
Government spokesperson Sharma further informed that the local levels suffering from the Jakarkot Earthquake would be declared disaster-hit zone.
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20- Autobiography ‘Himbu’ of mountaineer Sherpa released
Kathmandu, Feb 26: An autobiography, ‘Himbu’, written by tourism entrepreneur and mountaineer Lhakpa Sonam Sherpa, has been released here Monday.
The only surviving member of the first expedition to summit Mt Everest in 1953, Kanchha Sherpa, and National Assembly member Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa, senior tourism entrepreneur Yogendra Shakya, former Nepali Ambassador to USA, Dr Arjun Karki, Chairperson of Nepal Sherpa Association, Gelje Lama Sherpa, mountaineer Mingma Sherpa and international mountain guide Dawa Yangjung Sherpa jointly released the autobiography. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary were first to be atop the Mt Everest.
The book has incorporated lucid memories on 33 different titles based on life of author. Litterateur Yubraj Nayaghare edited the book published by Sas Trust.
Born at Pangom village of Solukhumbu district, the writer has dovetailed mosaic of works in tourism sector reaching Kathmandu from Solukhumbu at the age of 13, and the moment of establishing Thamserku trekking in 1988 and the ski-related activities in France in his autobiography.
Former Nepali Ambassador to Spain, Dawa Futi Sherpa, book editor Yubraj Nayaghare, reviewer Mahesh Poudel, tourism entrepreneur Yogendra Shakya, among others commented on the book.
On the occasion, author Sherpa said he would provide financial assistance from the amount collected from the sale of his autobiography to different organisations of Solukhumbu through the Sas Foundation.
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21- Rajendra Mahato quits LSP Nepal
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Senior leader of Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP) Nepal Rajendra Mahato, one of the senior leaders of the Madhes-based politics, quitted the party by organizing a news conference here Monday.
Leaving the LSP Nepal, he announced a new campaign called ‘Rastriya Mukti Kranti’.
Mahato, who served ministerial portfolio several times after, was dissatisfied with the LSP Nepal leadership since some months ago.
On the occasion, Mahato told the media that he would continue his political journey by waging campaign and struggle despite resigning from the LSP Nepal.
Regarding the reasons for resigning from the party, he argued that the LSP Nepal could not work to end deadlock in the party as per the aspirations and expectations.
“The party could not work for Madhes and citizens of the country. So, I started new revolution by quitting the party (LSP Nepal),” according to Mahato.
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22- Commission seeks 15 days more to probe into cases of gold smuggling
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The High-Level Probe Commission formed to investigate the recent cases of gold smuggling has asked the government to give 15 more days to submit its report citing lack of time.
The Commission has requested the government through the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking 15 days to prepare and submit the report by March 13.
Commission’s Chairman Dilliraj Acharya said that the job of report writing is delayed as details and responses from some agencies are awaited while additional evidences and facts received from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police were yet to be studied and analyzed.
Acharya argued that this period of the Commission should be construed as a silence period since the Commission was working on study and analysis of the evidences and report writing.
The government had formed the Commission on October 1 giving three-month-long period. Later, the commission was given two more months as it could not complete its tasks.
Kishor Jung Karki, Prem Raj Joshi and former Additional Inspector General (AIG) Sahakul Thapa are the members of the commission led by former High Court Judge Acharya.
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23- US Indo-Pacific Commander pays courtesy call on President Paudel
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John C. Aquilino, paid a courtesy call on President Ram Chandra Paudel.
During the meeting held at Sheetal Niwas, President Paudel expressed happiness on friendly and cordial relations between Nepal and US after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He shared that committed to global peace, Nepal is proud of being the highest contributor to UN Peace Keeping, reads a press release issued by the Office of the President Paudel.
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24- DPM Khadka vows prosperous Karnali in ten years
Karnali, Feb 26: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has vowed a prosperous Karnali in a decade. “The new generation would be handed over a prosperous Karnali in ten years,” he reiterated.
Inaugurating the Suntharali Airport at Naraharinath rural municipality-1, Kalikot on Monday, DPM Khadka viewed Karnali Province is richest one in terms of potentials and opportunities. There are natural, religious, cultural and tourism potentials in this region, he said, underscoring the need of political unity for Karnali’s development.
“Karnali bears unique features. All parties must have common perspectives for the development of agriculture, health, tourism, hydropower and medicinal herbs in this region,” he viewed, adding that mega hydropower projects were forwarded to ensure prosperity to the new generation in coming 10 to 15 years.
He claimed that the promise made before people in the last election were met. “We’ve come here to give a message that the commitment made during election is accomplished,” DPM Khadka reminded and urged the related local level to ensure regular flight from Kalikot to province capital, Surkhet.
On the occasion, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, said, “Currently, the Civil Aviation Authority is in need of six planes. We’re purchasing aircrafts to serve the sick, pregnant, elderly, students and those needy ones in Karnali.”
He vowed conducting a flight once a week in Kalikot. Minister Kirati also reminded the natural beauty and tourism potentials in the region, which could be leveraged through air service in Kalikot.
On the occasion, Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Raj Kumar Sharma, said it took almost 40 years to realize the dream of having an airport at Suntharali, Kalikot. In this course, nearly three dozens of people died for lack of timely transportation they needed at emergency, especially for healthcare.
According to him, the federal government was prodded for the realization of internal air service in Karnali Province. He sought special cooperation from the federal government for smooth conduct of flights.
Former Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Mahendra Bahadur Shahi also reminded that Suntharali airport was realized after the scourge of dozens of deaths – caused for lack of air transportation. Immediately after the restoration of democracy- may be in 2049 BS- then lawmaker Dharma Datt Upadhyay and then President of District Development Committee, Dip Bahadur Shahi, had laid foundation stone for the airport, he reminded.
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25- State should invest more in sports: Former President Bhandari
Dhanusha, Feb 26: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has viewed in adequate sports infrastructures and skimpy investment from State on athletes is worrying matter in the country.
Lauding the performance of Nepali athletes in international arena despite little investment in sports sectors, she pointed out the need of boosting investment for developing sports.
During the inaugural of the first Madan Bhandari National Women Hockey Championship begun in the playground of Kshireshwor Janata Higher Secondary School of Mahendranagar on Monday, the former President hoped the national women hockey championship would play a significant role in women empowerment by ending gender-based discrimination.
She underscored that the sports has a significant role to make the country prosperous by strengthening mutual harmony, tolerance and national unity.
Sharing that it was necessary to maintain discipline in sports, former President Bhandari reminded that the late leader Madan Bhandari had the belief that leadership should be developed through a clean political competition, which is still relevant. It can be replicated in sports sector as well, he suggested.
Similarly, Secretary of CPN UML, Raghubir Mahaseth, said performance of athletes is appreciable despite scant investment of state in this sector.
Chairperson of Hockey Association Nepal, Anil Prasad Sharma, expressed the view that the first hockey championship for women in the national-level was going to be organised to foster sports environment.
A total of 150 athletes in eight teams have been participating in the championship. The championship will run till March 2.
The winner team would get Rs 150,000 and the cup, while first runner-up Rs 100,000 and cup and second winner team Rs 50,000 and cup.
Likewise, best player would receive Rs 10,000 and ‘Woman of the match’ Rs 5,000.
Meanwhile, former President Bhandari performed a worship at Dhanusha Temple of Dhanusha on Monday itself. Priest of the temple, Bharat Das, briefed the former President about the importance of the Temple.
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26- President Paudel aggrieved over Acharya’s demise
Kathmandu, Feb 26: President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed grief over the demise of noted singer and musician Bhakta Raj Acharya.
Taking to social media, X, President Paudel said he was saddened by the news of passing away of Bhajan Shiromani Acharya.
He extended heartfelt tribute to the late Acharya and extended deep condolences to the bereaved family members. Achaya passed away this afternoon at the age of 82.
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27- CJ Shrestha commits to make judiciary more dynamic
Makawanpur, Feb 26: Chief Justice Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha has said development of physical infrastructure was an important part in the judiciary system along with making the judiciary contextual, dynamic and qualitative while ensuring good-governance.
Inaugurating the newly-constructed building of Makawanpur District Court here Monday, the Chief Justice (CJ) said the Justices at the Supreme Court were under pressure of a large number of cases due to the failure to appoint Justices in the past. He shared that he was making efforts to ensure timely justice delivery from the SC through its various benches as the Justices at the SC have already been appointed.
On the occasion, CJ Shrestha argued that it takes time at the District Court to finalize the cases though the local levels make settlements of the cases through discussions and reconciliation. He was of the view that it could take some more time in the judiciary for justice delivery since the verdicts are made in line with the constitution, Acts and others after recording the statements, hearing and evidences.
The CJ also cautioned the stakeholders to the possible concerns that could be raised from the service recipients on the part of impartiality while clearing the cases through reconciliation process in a prompt manner like that of the local levels.
CJ Shrestha said the judiciary should be advanced through its reform process while deepening public trust towards the court, and raise the aspirations that the judiciary gives justice impartially and protects human rights.
Likewise, Justice of SC Dr Kumar Chudal the development of physical infrastructure along with recruitment of judges are on the cards to make the judiciary more effective, pro-public and accountable.
Also speaking at the programme, Internal Affairs and Law Minister of Bagmati Province Ganga Narayan Shrestha urged the justices to play vital roles in increasing public faiths towards the justice system and facilitate the justice delivery provisions to the economically poor people.
Mayor of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Mina Kumari Lama, Chief Judge of Patan High Court Nrip Dhowj Niraula, Judge Yamuna Bhattarai and others expressed their views on timely justice delivery to the people.
The building was constructed with Rs 237.7 million in grant from the government.
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28- KMC stops collecting waste from four hospitals
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has stopped collecting waste from four hospitals with effect from Sunday. The waste collection of Shaheed Memorial Hospital and Nepal National Hospital in Kalanki and Dirghayu Guru Hospital and Om Hospital in Chabahil has been stopped, said KMC landfill site in-charge engineer Sarkardeep Shrestha.
The decision was taken after a monitoring by the KMC of the waste management system of the health facilities was found not complying with the prevailing law. Accordingly, the hospitals have been instructed to present to the Environmental Management Department of the KMC a plan for decontamination of infected waste, documents related to the commitment made for waste management during the registration and operation of the hospital, and the details of the organizations that have collaborated for waste management.
“Decontamination of infected waste is the producer’s responsibility. Furthermore, infrastructure and mechanisms should be established for the proper waste management in a hospital,” engineer Shrestha said.
The KMC has been regularly monitoring hospital waste and giving necessary instructions for the past two weeks to make waste management more effective. The Local Government Operation Act, 2074 BS (2017) has authorized the local government to determine and regulate sanitary waste collection, reuse, processing, disposal and about its service fees. In addition, the local government has also been given the right to penalize health institutions that do not manage the medical waste as provided in the prevailing law.
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