- Thursday, 19 December 2024
Kathmandu, April 10: National Assembly’s newly-elected Vice-Chair Bimala Ghimire has pledged to perform in an impartial and neutral manner by accommodating voices of all the members.
Talking to media on being elected to the post at today’s NA meeting, Vice-Chair Ghimire said the glory of the post will be established with activism by countering criticism in regard to the Vice-Chairperson’s role. “I will remain further active within the role bestowed by the Constitution and Regulation. My role will also be focused on empowering women members in the NA”, she further said.
She expressed the commitment to prove her role with performance and respond to the queries raised. Vice-Chair Ghimire said the regulation will be amended based on the need.
She has been the National Assembly member for the past four years.
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CIAA files charge sheet against mayor Thapa
Kathmandu, April 10: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a charge sheet against mayor of Bagmati municipality in Sarlahi district, Bharat Kumar Thapa, at the Special Court on Wednesday.
The anti-graft body filed the corruption case against Thapa on the charge of amassing property being involved on financial embezzlement. Mayor Thapa was charged of accumulating property worth Rs 53.353 million through illegal measures, CIAA Spokesperson Narahari Ghimire added.
According to the CIAA, the amount illegally accumulated by mayor Thapa was spent in purchasing house and land in the names of his wife Reshmi Kumari Ghimire Thapa, brother Ram Kumar Thapa and sister-in-law Dwarika Raut.
He was also found investing the money in different companies, purchasing shares and paying life insurance premium.
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Election symbols provided to by-election candidates
Kathmandu, April 10: The Election Commission (EC) today provided election symbols to candidates of by-election of the House of Representatives.
The HoR by-election is scheduled to take place in Ilam-2 and Bajhang-1 on April 27. A total of 20 candidates, including 12 from different political parties and eight independent candidates had filed their nominations in Ilam.
Of them, an independent candidate Keshav Kumar Chapagain withdrew his candidacy. The name list of remaining 19 candidates was published and they were provided with election symbols. Similarly, in Bajhang, 12 candidates from 12 political parties had registered their nomination. Of them, a candidate of Nepali Janata Dal, Ashok Sunar, withdrew his candidacy and election symbols were provided to remaining 11 candidates, according to the EC.
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Martyrs’ dream should be materialized: NC President Deuba
Lumbini, April 10: Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and people have not been well recognized.
Unveiling the full-size statue of martyr Yadavanath Alok erected in Tilottama Municipality-13 Tikuligadh of Rupandehi district on Wednesday, President Deuba argued that the martyrs do not belong to any particular political party but to the entire country and the people hence their contributions should be adequately respected by all.
President Deuba mentioned that the parties must work to cherish the dreams of martyrs. He expressed his commitment to translate the dreams of Yadavanath Alok into action.
At the programme, CPN (UML) politburo member and former Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Lila Giri highlighted the contribution made by Yadavanath Alok. The programme presided over by Hemraj Aryal, Chairman of Yadavanath Alok Memorial Study Centre and martyr Alok’s wife Sita Laxmi Neupane urged the Nepali Congress to materialize the wishes and aspirations of leader Alok.
Earlier, President Deuba participated in the New Year greetings and wishes exchange programme organized by the NC Rupandehi Constituency No. 3 committee. Meanwhile, NC Rupandehi today organized a condolence meet to commemorate the 40 years of the macabre Surajpura incident in which NC leaders Alok and Ram Prasad Chaudhary were murdered.
The attack allegedly launched by the anti-democratic forces was targeted to NC leaders, including the then general-secretary Girija Prasad Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ramchandra Paudel and Sailaja Acharya.
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Draft of 16th plan discussed within ruling parties
Kathmandu, April 10: The National Planning Commission (NPC) has elicited recommendations from ruling alliance parties on the 16th five-year period plan which is in the final phase of the daft.
The consultation was made with the chiefs and representatives of the ruling parties on the presence of Prime Minister and NPC Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. At a discussion held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, leaders, including ruling CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson and PM Dahal along with its senior Vice-Chair and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha, former PM and CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN (UML)’s Vice-Chair Surendra Pandey and Janata Samajwadi Party’s Chair and DPM Upendra Yadav and Rastriya Swatantra Party’s Vice-President Dr Swarnim Wagle, among others were present.
NPC Vice-Chairperson Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha had apprised the political leaders about the preparation underway in regard to the 16th periodic plan.
NPC’s Joint-Secretary Mahesh Bhattarai delivered a presentation on the preparation of the plan. According to Vice-Chairperson Dr Shrestha, the draft will be finalized incorporating the inputs and recommendations of the political parties. Earlier, the NPC had obtained suggestions from experts.
It may be noted that NPC has been receiving inputs from the chiefs and deputy chiefs of all the province governments and local level governments on the draft of the period plan.
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NFA demands declaration of forest fire emergency
Kathmandu, April 10: Nepal Foresters’ Association (NFA) has called for the government to declare forest fire emergency. Issuing a press release on Wednesday, the Association demanded declaration of a state of emergency to control rapidly increasing forest fires in the country.
Rakesh Karna, President of the Association, said as forest fire has caused widespread environmental pollution across the country it must be contained by all means.
“Due to ravaging fires, the forest has been destroyed and it has become difficult to protect the settlements”, he said, “For forest fire control, it is necessary to devise modern technology and declare a crisis.”
He expressed his condolence to the Nepal Army soldiers who died in their bid to control forest fire and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured ones. He added the Dolpa incident has clarified that natural resource conservation is a challenging job in the country.
NA personnel Keshav BahadurJagamagar, 38, Hemant Rawat, 22, and Ashish Budha, 38, who have been posted at NA’s Devidatta Company in Dolpa, died on Tuesday while containing forest fire that broke out at Masta Bhawani Community Forest of Thulibheri municipality in Dolpa district.
Similarly, Bijaya Koirala was seriously injured and is being treated in Kathmandu. The NFA has demanded declaring those losing lives in course of containing the forest fire as ‘conservation martyr’ and provide free treatment to the injured ones.
It has further demanded relief package to the family of the deceased.
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NA Vice-Chair Ghimire takes oath of office
Kathmandu, April 10: Newly-elected vice-Chair of the National Assembly (NA) Bimala Ghimire took oath of office and secrecy on the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel.
Amidst a ceremony organized at the President’s Office, Sheetal Niwas, on Wednesday, NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vice-Chair Ghimire.
Vice-Chair Ghimire took oath of office as per the Annex 2 of National Assembly Regulations, 2075’s Rule 217 ‘A’, informed Spokesperson of the President’s Office, Shailaja Regmi.
Also present on the occasion were Vice-Presi0dent Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Speaker Debraj Ghimire and high-placed government officials. Ghimire, a parliament member from the CPN-UML, was elected the Vice-chair of the NA today.
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SC issues interim order not to take any decision having long-term impact
Kathmandu, April 10: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order to the Chief Minister of Gandaki Province not to take any decision having long-term impact.
A single bench of Justice Binod Sharma on Wednesday issued the order to this effect until the final decision on a complaint.
“Khagaraj Adhikari has been appointed the Chief Minister based on the claim he presented counting his vote as well since he can only give decisive vote on condition of Article 186 of the Nepal Constitution.”
The SC has also fixed date for hearing on April 22 to resolve the dispute at the earliest. Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader and outgoing Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Pandey, on Tuesday had filed a writ petition noting that presenting claim of majority counting the Speaker’s vote as well was unconstitutional.
Earlier, the apex court in the writ petition by CPN (UML) against NC in Koshi Province on similar matter had issued an order not to count the vote of the Speaker.
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Perform without pressure and influence: Home Minister
Janakpurdham, April 10: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane has instructed the concerned officials to work efficiently in implementing the laws remaining away from undue influence.
Speaking to the media after the Province-level security workshop held today in Janakpurdham, Home Minister Lamichhane said that the workshop will be spectacular to identify security sensitivity of Madhes province, its fundamental problems and challenges.
The workshop was a part of the joint project of the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Home Affairs and Madhes Province Ministry of Home Affairs, Communications and Law. He directed the bodies concerned to curb drug trafficking by strengthening security, properly monitoring activities operated against the laws and deviating from jurisdiction and maintaining proper coordination among federal, province and local governments.
As Madhes Province is an important space for religious tourism, emphasis should be laid on facilitation for tourism promotion, Lamichhane said. Similarly, he opined for working on behalf of the victims to solve usury related problems. The Minister further urged to strengthen border security and curb cross-border crime.
He also instructed the responsible agencies to improve condition of prisons by upgrading basis facilities there. Also speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Madhes Province Saroj Kumar Yadav stressed the need to further improve law and order in the province and expressed the provincial government’s readiness to cooperate and coordinate with security agencies and local administration.
Likewise, Rajkumar Lekhi, Minister for Home, Communications and Law of Madhes Province, said they were active in developing Madhes as a province of excellence in terms of peace, security and crime control. Home Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal pointed out the need to act accordingly, saying the local administration should not only work as a service provider but also as a regulator to monitor whether or not performances are being done according to the law.
Finance Secretary Krishnahari Puskar, Inspector General of Nepal Police Basant Bahadur Kunwar, Inspector General of Armed Police Force of Nepal Raju Aryal, Chief Investigation Director of National Investigation Department HutrajThapa, Chief of District Officers of eight districts of Madhes Province, chiefs and representatives of security agencies participated in the programme.
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President Paudel’s message on Eid-ul-Fitr
Kathmandu, April 11: President Ramchandra Paudel has extended best wishes on the occasion of Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr), the festival of the Islam community.
In a message today, President Paudel wished for happiness, mutual cooperation, sustainable development, prosperity, peace and fraternity among all brothers and sisters of Islam community at home and abroad on the occasion.
He expressed confidence that the Eid-ul-Fitr would help protect, promote and develop its original culture and traditions of Muslim community. “I feel that the unity among social and cultural diversity has strengthened nationality. I wish this festival will inspire all to nurture fraternity and strengthen national unity”, reads the message.
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NHRC urges to ensure citizens’ right to clean, healthy environment
Kathmandu, April 10: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the three-tier of governments to ensure citizens’ right to clean and healthy environment.
The human rights body appealed to the three-tier governments to implement the provisions related to clean and healthy environment guaranteed by the Nepal Constitution as well as national and international laws.
A press release issued on Wednesday by Commission Spokesperson, Dr Tikaram Pokharel, reads that NHRC’s attention was drawn towards the possible effects on citizens’ health as Nepal is in the forefront of the global list of the air-polluted countries for the past few years.
“The Clause 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 2076, has the provision that necessary criteria could be determined to reduce or eliminate the effects of air pollution”, reads the statement, adding the data shows that citizens right to life has not been guaranteed despite efforts of three-tier governments for citizens right to clean and healthy environment along with quality air.
Spokesperson Pokharel said the Commission has been monitoring air pollution increasing in recent period and its effect on citizens’ health. In course of monitoring, the NHRC found that out of 27 mechanisms established to measure air quality in Nepal, 15 were not found working.
The air pollution measured higher than the stipulated standard has made serious impact on health rights of chronic disease patients, senior citizens, children, new born, pregnant women and disabled persons.
A study shows around seven million people die from air pollution every year in the world. According to the Commission, air pollution kills 42,000 people every year in Nepal and more than 5,000 in Kathmandu Valley alone.
Article 30 of the Nepal Constitution has a provision that every citizen has a right to live in clean and healthy environment, mentioning right to clean environment as fundamental rights.
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Prime Minister Dahal extends Eid greetings
Kathmandu, April 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has extended his best wishes on the occasion of Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr), the great festival of Muslims, arguing this will help build a just and prosperous society through mutual unity, tolerance and harmony among all Nepali.
In a message of best wishes delivered today, Prime Minister Dahal said the festival will contribute to promote brotherhood among all Nepali, enhance social harmony and inspire national campaign towards building national unity, development and prosperity of Nepal.
“In a multi-ethnic, multilingual and multicultural country, Eid has been established as a national festival, not just for any particular community,” said in the greeting message.
The Eid festival has been playing an important role in enriching religious diversity in Nepal and promoting the culture of tolerance and cooperation, Prime Minister said.
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Speaker Ghimire’s best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr
Kathmandu, April 11: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has wished for peace, happiness, good health, longevity, prosperity and continued progress among all brothers and sisters of Islam community at home and abroad on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
In a message today, Speaker Ghimire said the festival, which is celebrated to promote brotherhood and family reunion, has helped strengthen national unity, religious tolerance, social harmony and friendship.
“Different nationalities have presented model for religious and cultural unity by celebrating their festivals in presence of the people from all groups and communities”, reads the message.
The Constitution has set a goal of not discriminating any citizen on the basis of his/her religion and maintaining equality in all policies of the state, he stressed.
The Nepali Muslim community has been contributing to the political movements and nation-building process, as a result an arrangement of constitutional commission was made to take the Muslim community ahead, reminded the Speaker.
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