- Thursday, 19 December 2024
Morang (Biratnagar), April 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said discussions were underway at the political level to end the deadlock of House of Representatives and it would be resolved soon.
Talking briefly to media persons at Biratnagar today, Prime Minister Dahal shared that the recent impasse would be resolved through political discussion.
He expressed the belief that problems could be resolved by studying the overall issue related to cooperative and the topic concerning Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane separately.
“Formation of parliamentary probe committee has been demanded keeping Deputy Prime Minister Lamichhane in centre, which cannot be addressed,” the PM said.
Stating that the opposition parties have been making the problems seen in cooperative sector as a political issue rather than solving it after the change in the political alliance, PM Dahal underlined, “Earlier, the Nepali Congress was with us in the government. The issue of cooperative was minor for them that time. After exiting from the government, formation of a parliamentary probe committee has been demanded keeping Rabi Lamichhane in the centre. It is based on political prejudice.”
He clarified that the efforts made to break the existing political equation would not be successful.
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07- Police prepare special security plan for keeping Thamel, Durbarmarg areas open 24 hours
Kathmandu, April 11: The Nepal Police has prepared a special security plan for keeping Thamel and Durbarmarg areas open round the clock.
Chief of the District Police Range Kathmandu, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bhupendra Bahadur Khatri, said this while speaking in an interaction programme on minimization of drug abuse and cyber crimes, organized here today by Community Service Centre Tundaldevi and Police Circle Maharajgunj and Maligaun.
“Police is carrying out a thorough study of the possible crime-prone areas for opening Thamel and Durbarmarg areas for 24 hours. Nepal Police would gear ahead towards making the two tourism business markets more vibrant by managing additional human resources of the Nepal Police and the Tourist Police,” SSP Khatri said.
Stating that the incidents of drug abuse and cyber crime have increased throughout the country including the federal capital Kathmandu in recent days, he asserted that the Kathmandu Police is vigorously working for controlling these.
According to him, 3,700 complaints of misuse of social sites have been filed with the Kathmandu Police in the current fiscal year. Similarly, he said, more than 4,000 cases related to narcotics abuse have been registered throughout the country.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward No 4 Chair, Dinesh Maharjan, said all the damaged roads in the Ward would be blacktopped within the next year. He urged one and all, especially the students and parents, to be aware against drug abuse and cyber crime.
President of the Community Service Centre Tundaldevi, Ram Prasad Neupane informed that the Centre has been collaborating with the Community Police Service Centre for ending the anomalies, aberrations and ant-social activities in Chandol, Dhumbarahi, Baluwatar and Chundevi, Tundaldevi area. He added that the Community Service Centre has been conducting public awareness raising programmes for controlling incidents of drug abuse and cyber crime.
Chief of the Police Circle Maharajgunj, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ambar Bahadur Thapa Chhetri said the police, in collaboration with the community, have been running various public awareness based programmes, citing that the youths were embroiled in drug abuse and cyber crime in the recent time.
Government former secretary Shyam Prasad Mainali, former Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Amar Singh Shah, Principal of Newton Higher Secondary School Ram Bahadur Thapa, among other speakers, underscored on keeping the students safe from drug abuse and cyber crime.
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08- Eastern region will get priority in coming budget: PM Dahal
Biratnagar (Morang), April 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said priority would be given to eastern part of the country in government’s policy, programmes and budget for coming fiscal year.
Addressing the joint meeting of the CPN (Maoist Centre), province central committee members and province office-bearers today, Prime Minister Dahal underlined that a budget would be brought preparing the basis of country’s economic prosperity and socialism.
He clarified that the policy, programme and budget for coming fiscal year would be production and employment oriented, adding the government has taken significant initiatives in favour of the people.
Stating that people’s hope has raised from government’s positive works, CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Dahal laid emphasis on the need of taking positive works carried by the government in the context of good governance and social justice before the people.
“All participated in Maoist movement should be united. Friends participating in Socialist Forum are also in mood of unity. Remaining friends have reached to a conclusion that there is no alternative to unity. We all will stand together”, he stressed.
Laying emphasis on the need of protecting the achievements gained from Maoist movement, the Prime Minister urged all to be aware as efforts are being made to reverse achievements like federalism, inclusiveness and secularism.
He explained that the Federal Civil Service Act is in the phase of passage as well as Federal Police Act has been prepared and Province Police Act is in the phase of implementation.
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09- Islam community observes Eid-ul-Fitra with enthusiasm
Ranjha (Banke), April 11: The Islam community in Nepal observed the Eid-ul-Fitra, one of the major festivals of the Muslims, with enthusiasm today. The festival is observed following the conclusion of the one-month-long Roja (rigorous fasting), that ended on Wednesday.
This morning, they visited the BP Chowk-based Idgah, a public place for offering prayers, en-masse, and recited Namaz, ritual prayers, wishing for lasting peace, prosperity, and goodwill in the nation and among the community, according to a Muslim religious leader, Maulana Abdul Jabbar Manjari.
People from other communities including political parties, the business community, and representatives from various organizations joined the Eid greetings-exchange ceremony on the occasion.
With cheerful faces, they embrace each other and extend Eid-best wishes warmly.
Nepalgunj-based Muslim leader Mohammed Harun Halawai said he could see the Muslim people celebrating the festival with a much fanfare in Nepalgunj, enjoying and offering special delicacies.
During the one-month-long Roja, they observed a rigourous fasting followed by the recitation of Namaz five times a day, tried to refrain from doing wrongdoing, speaking lies, seeing unwanted things tolerated heat with the belief that their Allah ( god) will forgive them all of their mistakes, according to Manjari,
Roza is considered a mandatory practice for people from the Muslim community. If any individual fails to observe the Roza due to physical condition or illness, such individual should offer food to another person from a poor community for a month.
Hindus and Muslims greet ‘Eid Mubarak’ to each other
Likewise, the Islam community of Mohattrai is engaged in observing Eid today. The settlements along the Mithila region in Mahottari where the people from the Islam and Hindu communities reside together exchanged Eid greetings, gesturing a mutual respect and bonding.
In the district headquarters Jaleshwor, the people from the Hindu community visit the houses of Muslims to offer the Eid greetings. Binaya Bishwakarm, 30, of Jaleshwor-2, said they are visiting his Muslim friends at their homes to extend the Eid best wishes. “The atmosphere is joyous.”
Mayor Suresh Sah Sonar said Jaleshwor highly reflects the presence of social cohesion and goodwill here and such feature is exemplary. Hindus are ahead of the relatives of Islam reaching the latter’s homes with Eid best wishes while Muslims reach the homes of Hindus during the Hindu festival with best wishes before the relatives of the latter do the same. This practice is founded on the Mithila culture and traditions.
Such communal bonding is released in each parts of the district, according to the District Coordination Committee, Mahottari Chief Suman Kumar Lal Karna, such bonding sometimes make us emotional, he added. “This is due to also the influence of the Buddhist philosophy.”
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10- National economy can be improved through sustainable use of plants: Minister Sudi
Kathmandu, April 11: Minister for Forests and Environment Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi has underscored on improving the national economy through the sustainable use of plants.
Addressing a programme marking the 64th Anniversary of the Department of Plant Resources and the 25th Plant Day here today, he laid emphasis on boosting the economy by means of sustainable utilisation of plant resources. The theme of the Anniversary is – ‘Indigenous Plants for Local Prosperity’.
Minister Sudi described the plant resources as the backbone for the improvement of the national economy, stating that it is necessary to increase employment by boosting the economy through plant resources.
“Activities related to plant research have been pursued in spite of the limited means and resources. Contributions should be made towards augmenting the national economy by means of the sustainable utilization of plant resources, prioritizing the research activities,” the Minister for Forests and Environment suggested.
Secretary at the Ministry, Dr Deepak Kumar Kharal stressed on reinforcing the economic income and generating the employment opportunities from the plant resources. He pointed out the need of improving the economy by means of promoting medicinal herbs.
Department Director-General Dr Sanjiv Kumar Rai underscored on increasing investment in human resource development in the plant resources research and processing sectors. He stated that since its establishment the Department has dedicated itself to building an economically prosperous nation through identification of plant resources and their utilization, developing the technology for the same.
Prof Dr Lokesh Ratna Shakya was honoured with the ‘National Plant Resources Award’ in recognition of his contribution to the conservation and promotion of plant resources through long involvement and association in the study, research and teaching plant resources science in Nepal.
Dr Nirmala Pradhan who was the recipient of the ‘National Plant Resources Award -2079 BS’ gave a special talk on the theme of this year’s National Plant Resources Day.
On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Kharal launched a book entitled ‘Algal Flora of Nepal, Volume 2’, co-authored by Prof Dr Shiva Kumar Rai and Sajita Dhakal, and published by the Department’s National Herbarium and Plant Laboratory Godavari.
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11- Students reside in dilapidated hostel building
Tulsipur (Dang), April 11: The hostel building for Janata Bidhyapeeth, under the Nepal Sanskrit University, is in urgent need of renovation.
The aging structure, along with outdated furnishings, has caused challenges for students living in the hostel. According to student Udhyam Pokhrel, the deteriorating condition of the building poses a constant risk to their safety. “The structures are old, and we fear they may collapse at any time. Besides, the building is not even resistant to minor environmental disturbances,” he stated.
Moreover, the presence of overgrown grass around the building has made the surroundings unpleasant, and signs of water seepage are evident on the walls. The hostel, constructed back in 2049 BS, has completed thirty years of service. Former student Bhimlal Marasini reminisced that during his time in the hostel, the structures were not as dilapidated as they appear now.
Currently, eight students reside in the hostel. School Principal Yogaraj Sharma said the renovation process has commenced with support from the Indian Embassy. A detailed project report has been sent to the Embassy, and there is assurance of budget allocation for the renovation in the upcoming fiscal year.
However, the school provides newly constructed residential facilities for school teachers. This building, established just two years ago at Bijauri at a cost of approximately Rs 10 million, accommodates teachers who are not locals. Principal Sharma said that the new structure was specifically built to address the accommodation challenges faced by teachers from outside the village, who often struggle to find rooms in rent.
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12- ADB projects Nepal’s economy to grow by 3.6 per cent in FY 2024
Kathmandu, April 11: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected that Nepal’s economy is to grow by 3.6% (at market prices) in fiscal year 2024.
Releasing the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, a flagship publication of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by organising a press conference here today, it shared that Nepal’s economy would go up from an estimated growth of 1.9% in fiscal year 2023.
ADB Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois said, “A gradual relaxation of monetary policy coupled with improved consumer and investor confidence is expected to stimulate economic activity in 2024. Moreover, industry is projected to grow more rapidly than in fiscal year 2023 as capital spending by the government ramps up in the second half of the fiscal year, and as additional hydroelectricity power comes online by the end of fiscal year 2024.”
Service sector growth would also likely accelerate as credit controls ease, interest rates further decrease, and tourism revenues expand. Agriculture growth may increase marginally from 2.7% in fiscal year 2023 to 2.8% as a record rice harvest is tempered by a shortfall in winter crops and other agricultural production, given the deficient rainfall this winter season, reads the press release issued by ADB.
The report projects annual average inflation to fall to 6.5% in fiscal year 2024 from 7.7% in fiscal year 2023 on subdued oil prices and a decline in inflation in India, Nepal’s main import source.
“External risks remain relatively well contained. The current account deficit may fall again into deficit after registering a surplus in the first half of fiscal year 2024”, clarified the ADB.
As per the ADO, as the trade deficit contracted by 4.7% year-on-year in the first 6 months of fiscal year 2024, and as workers’ remittances expanded by 22.6% year-on-year, the current account recorded a surplus of $1.2 billion.
However, amid higher imports and stable remittance inflows in the remainder of the fiscal year, the 2024 current account deficit is forecast at 0.7% of gross domestic product.
Similarly, ADB Principal Economist for Nepal Jan Hansen shared, “Downside risks to the economic outlook in fiscal year 2024 may arise from a downturn in the global economy affecting Nepal’s tourism and remittance receipts.”
“Any intensified geopolitical turmoil could disrupt supply chains, pushing up global inflation and tightening global financial conditions. This may lead to a tightening of domestic monetary policy, undermining investment and consumption, and dragging down growth”, reads the press release.
He expressed commitment to provide possible support in favour of prosperous and inclusive Nepal.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
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13- KC assigned responsibility of Spokesperson of Nepali Army
Kathmandu, April 11: Brigadier General Gaurav Kumar KC has been appointed as the spokesperson for the Nepali Army.
The Army Headquarters has assigned the responsibility of Director of the Army Public Relations and Information and the Army Spokesperson to KC. He is currently the Chief of the NA Number 3 Brigade Office based in Pokhara.
The current Army Spokesperson Krishna Prasad Bhandari has been transferred to the Army Archives at the Army Headquarters. He will formally handover the responsibility of Army Spokesperson to KC after some days.
The Army Public Relations and Information Directorate was established on April 2, 2002.
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14- ‘Community approval needed before clinical trial’
Kathmandu, April 11: Community approval should be sought before going for a clinical trial of any vaccines/drugs.
Speaking today at a panel discussion on ‘clinical trial based on facts and research’ held on the sidelines of the 10th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal organized by the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), the stakeholders concerned stressed this.
Director General of the Department of Drug Administration, Narayan Prasad Dhakal, said the implementation of criteria for clinical trial has not been effective. As he said, the Department is working on the draft of a clinical trial for the use of Ayurvedic drugs.
Pradip Gyanwali, Chief of the Research Department, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, stressed the need for research for a clinical trial.
As he said, Nepal recorded the first clinical trial for the vaccine against COVID-19. Remembering the formulation of criteria for a clinical trial while he was the member secretary of the Council, he echoed the need for its effective enforcement.
Naheed Haque, from Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Nepal, pressed for the need of community approval for a clinical trial and to prevent its possible misuse.
NHRC Ethical Review Board’s Dr Diptesh Aryal called for making criteria for a clinical trial public and senior research officer Dr Meghnath Dhimal said the clinical trials that followed permission from the NHRC were in line with the research code of conduct.
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15- FECOFUN demands compensation for those killed in forest fires
Kathmandu, April 11: The Federation of Community Forest Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) has demanded the government provide free treatment to those injured in incidences of forest fire and compensation to the families of the deceased.
Issuing a press note today, the Federation expressed its serious concerns over a growing number of forest fires across the country resulting in the loss of lives and property.
The reduction in winter rainfall, continuous temperature rise, lack of public awareness, human negligence and errors, and some other causes have led to the rise in wildfire, it said, lamenting over the absence of effective measures to control the situation.
The Federation has urged the government to ensure compensation to those killed in the forest fire at Masta community forest at the Thulobheri municipality in Dolpa, in Kalikot, Bhojpur, Dhankuta and Lalitpur and free treatment to the injured.
It is said three Nepali armies were killed in the course of the attempts to take the fire control in Thulobheri.
It has also acknowledged the efforts of the community forest users in containing the forest fire. The Federation stressed the need for implementing prohibitive measures against forest fires, making citizens widely aware of legal actions for the responsibility for causing the fire.
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16- BFSU, China and Nepal Sanskrit University sign MoU
Kathmandu, April 11: The Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), China, and Nepal Sanskrit University have signed a memorandum of understanding on student exchange between them.
Vice-Chancellor of the Nepal Sanskrit University, Dr Yadav Prakash Lamichhane, and Chairperson of University Council of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Prof Dr Wang Dinghua, today signed five point MoU today.
As per the MoU, both university would exchange would also exchange lecturers, scholars and educational administrative staffs.
Similarly, both universities would jointly introduce proficiency certificate level, bachelor level and master level programmes as well as they would exchange and share educational materials and information.
The term of MoU is for five years and it would be renewed after written agreement of both sides, reads the MoU.
On the occasion, Chairperson of the University Council Chairperson Prof Dr Dinghua said the MoU would add new dimension in Nepal-China friendly relations, not only between the two universities.
He shared that the BFSU have already signed such type of agreement with main universities of 185 countries in the world. He pointed out the need of collaboration between the two universities in research sector.
Prof Dr Dinghua underlined that Chinese university has shown special interest to study Sanskrit and Nepali language.
Similarly, Vice-Chancellor Lamichhane expressed the belief that there would be extensive collaboration between the two universities in coming days.
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17- Present government will last remaining term: CM Adhikari
Galkot (Baglung), April 11: Chief Minister of the Gandaki Province Government, Khagaraj Adhikari has said the incumbent provincial government will work for the remaining term.
Addressing the 10th District Convention of CPN (UML) Baglung today, he said there is no such situation to go for a mid-term election in the province and the incumbent will last its remaining term.
“There is up and down in politics. I had to quit the Chief Minister’s post last time despite starting some good works. Now I have become the Chief Minister again. The UML will continue leading the Gandaki provincial government for the rest of the term. We will not go for the mid-term election. Even if there is mid-term election, the UML will come back with a single majority,” he said on the occasion.
Stating that there is no excuse for the UML to lose in the upcoming general election and it will secure singular majority, he urged the party leaders and cadres to work towards that end.
According to him the provincial government is implementing some good initiatives of the first five-year-plan formulated by the government led by first Chief Minister of the province Prithvi Subba Gurung, including them in the second five-year plan.
Stating that social and political issues have intensified in the country these days, the Chief Minister argued that the present new political alliance had to be forged to give a new direction to the country.
He said the UML has taken the upcoming election as a mission and a wave of public support is seen in favour of the UML. Chief Minister Adhikari said although UML will garner majority from the upcoming general election, it will continue the alliance with like-minded parties.
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