Kathmandu, Apr 11: Sudden weather change has affected flights in the country since this afternoon. Spokesperson at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Subash Jha, informed that both domestic and international flights were affected owing to sudden storm in the afternoon.
According to him, domestic flights were diverted and some international flights asked to stay on hold and some rerouted to different destinations.
Buddha Air’s aircraft coming to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj had to return to Bhairahawa, while the same company’s flight heading to Kathmandu from Simara was diverted to Simara again.
Similarly, the Yeti Airlines also failed to complete Kathmandu-Pokhara flight in the wake of adverse weather.
19- Karnali warrants concerted efforts for its development: CM Kandel
Karnali, Apr 11: Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Yamlal Kandel, has said Karnali is in dire need of cooperation from all sides so that it would realize development and prosperity.
During the Karnali Province Assembly meeting on Thursday, CM Kandel viewed people’s expectation and aspiration could be addressed through effective coordination and collaboration.
“I’ve come to the place that is obliged to respond to the queries. It is time to bring bills and sort out issues. All of us need to carry out our responsibilities and bring the budget that meets people’s needs and spur development activities,” he reminded, adding that budget should not be transferred from one sector to another as done in the past.
He shared that the policy, programmes and budget for the coming year will be centered on people’s concern and problems. The concept of balanced development will be reflected, CM Kandel said and sought positive roles from other members for budget preparation and planning.
“Time has come to prepare practicable development plans. We’ve been responsible to establish a development culture in Karnali,” he underscored.
Chief Whip of Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party in Karnali Province Assembly, Hikmat Bista, pledged to cooperate with government in its positive initiatives. The government will however be continuously watched against wrongdoing. He also wished a successful term to new CM Kandel.
Also extending best wishes to CM Kandel were Maoist Centre’s Chief Whip, Ransing Pariyar; Province member of CPN (Unified Socialist), Kalyani Khadka, and RPP Province member Santoshi Shahi.
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20- Devote to people’s concern, Chairman Oli to cadres
Taplejung, Apr 11: Chairman of CPN (UML) KP Sharma Oli has asked his party leaders and cadres to devote to the concern of people and country. Party needs better organization to move ahead effectively.
While inaugurating the Madan Bhandari Memorial Building and UML Party Office at Fungling in the district, he reminded the cadres on disciplined party organization. Clear idea and vision help propel party activities, he added, urging them to work hard for Mission 2084.
Chairman Oli had reached Olangchungola, a border to China, before inaugurating the building.The structure was constructed at a cost of Rs.32.5 million.Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructures and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, Defense Minister Hari Prasad Upreti, and Party Secretary Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai accompanied Chairman Oli during the visit.
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21- ‘Women are capable in every sector’
Chitwan, Apr 11: CPN (Maoist Centre) Secretary and former Education Minister Devendra Poudel has said women are efficient and empowered to carry out every job in society.
Addressing the Third National Conference of Women Department of Unified All Nepal Teachers’ Association in Bharatpur on Thursday, the former Education Minister said women are strong in every sector in respect to sensitivity, responsibility and maturity.
Stating that women’s participation was crucial in major movements taken place in the country, Maoist Centre’s Secretary Poudel added women discharged their duty with integrity and active participation.
Likewise, Social Development Minister of Bagmati Province and Maoist Centre’s leader Kumari Moktan said that women should be capable of taking a lead for social transformation.She argued that women should advance aiming high for the nation’s leadership.
Also speaking at the event, Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City Renu Dahal said women are smart in every aspect, which was proven from their performance.Dahal mentioned that the performance of women leadership was better in different areas.
Coordinator of Women Department of Organization Chhaya Regmi, Maoist Centre leader Ghanshyam Dahal and Organization’s Chairman Shankar Adhikari and others expressed their views during the programme.
The conference which has the participation of 700 representatives from across the country is electing its 35-member committee.
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22- Experts suggest better collaboration to ensure labour rights
Kathmandu, Apr 11: Speakers at a programme laid emphasis on effective collaboration among stakeholders in order to guarantee protection and promotion of labour rights.
At an interaction organized by the Democracy Media Network on ‘Protecting Labour Rights and Promoting Safer Migration in Nepal’, in the federal capital on Wednesday, they argued correction in present policy and behaviour of government agencies was imperative to reform this sector.
Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, said the ministry was ready to collaborate with stakeholders so that labour rights could be better protected and safer migration promoted.
He assured the ministry would accept feedback from the concerned stakeholders to promote safer migration. “I expect constructive inputs from the national and international organizations, which could be a base for any reform initiative in this sector,” Minister Aryal said, underlining the need for creating more job opportunities.
Private sector would be taken in confidence to create more jobs, according to him.The Minister further viewed exploitation of people aspiring foreign jobs must end. Government is aware of it so that their rights would not be compromised.On the occasion, Bagmati Provincial Assembly Member Suraj Lamichhane said provincial government is also responsible to protect labour rights, so it welcomes feedback from stakeholders to this regard.
According to Senior Public Management Economist at Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr Sameer Khatiwada, employment to population ratio and labour force participation rate in Nepal is significantly low compared to other South Asian and Asian countries.
Some immediate measures can be taken to curb unsafe migration, while accountability in multiple layers as in local agents, private recruitment agencies, family and relatives, friends and local money lenders can help end exploitation of aspiring migrant workers.
President of the International Institute for Human Rights, Environment and Development (INHURED International), Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, suggested the government that it initiated the process of signing the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons so that Nepal could be able to bring back hundreds of Nepalis who are languishing in foreign jails on various offenses.
Executive Director at Equidem Research Nepal, Rameshwar Nepal, commented that weak diplomacy and pervasiveness of administrative approach are some hindrances to reform in labour migration.
Executive Director at Aaprabasi Mahila Kamdar Samuha (AMKAS), Bijaya Rai Shrestha, expressed concern over ‘gendered’ approach while taking decision on labour permit. Women’s rights to choose labour destination freely must not be belittled and breached, she reminded.
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23 – Govt ready to facilitate foreign investors: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, Apr 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the government is ready to facilitate foreign businesspersons who want to invest in Nepal.
In a meeting with the delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industries, PM Dahal informed that the government could bring policy reforms to facilitate foreign investment. The foreign investors would also get logistics support when they put money in potential areas in Nepal.
The delegation also called on Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, and Minister for Industries, Commerce and Supply, Damodar Bhandari.
On the occasion, Finance Minister Pun stated that Indian economy had huge role in Nepal’s economy and he would do best from his side to promote trade and investment between the two countries.
Similarly, Industry Minister Bhandari pledged necessary support to ease the establishment of industries by the foreign investors in Nepal.
A delegation led by President of the Confederation of Indian Industries, Sanjeev Puri, came to Kathmandu to participate in the 58th annual general meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI). Puri was the keynote speaker at the annual general meeting of FNCCI.
FNCCI President Chandra Dhakal and other officials were also together in the meeting.
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24- Minister Tamang says govt committed to meet citizens’ aspirations for development
Dhulikhel, April 11: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hit Bahadur Tamang has pledged to fulfil the citizens’ aspirations for development.
Addressing the fourth Dolalghat Mahotsav in Kavre on Thursday, Minister Tamang promised to coordinate among the ministries for the touristic development of Dolalghat and the people’s aspirations here.
He added that the federal government is with the local government in the development efforts and all other works. Likewise, lawmaker Gokul Prasad Baskota said that the development of the Sunkoshi-III hydropower project is a dream of all people in Bhumlu and its surroundings, and sought support from all sides.
“After the completion of the project, there will be a lake five-size bigger than Fewa Lake. The project will be completed by 2040. After that, Dolalghat will be a unique tourist destination,” Baskota added.
On the occasion, Chief of Kavre District Coordination Committee Dipak Gautam said uncontrolled extraction of the river mining in the rivers in Kavre will be controlled now as the District Monitoring Committee has come up with a new policy.
The festival will continue till April 15.
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25- IWF World Cup: Sagar makes new record in weightlifting
Mahendranagar, Apr 11: Nepali player Sagar Bhandari has made a new record in weightlifting. He made the record in the tournament under the ongoing International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.
Bhandari broke his own previous record. He had lifted 134 kg in snatch under the 109 kg weight category, while 172 kg in clean and jerk, according to weightlifting instructor Jivan Gautam.
Earlier, in the 19th Asian Games, he had made record by lifting 133 kg weight in snatch. Similarly, in the Asian Championship held in Uzbekistan, he was able to pick up 172 kg weight in clean and jerk.
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26- Change in electoral system essential for stability: NC leader Koirala
Ghorahi, Apr 11: Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala has said present electoral system failed to maintain stability, so it needs correction. Leader Koirala argued frequent change in government is caused by mixed election system.
Inaugurating the second district convention of Nepali Congress Dang chapter here Thursday, he further viewed weakness in Nepal’s Constitution 2072 should be addressed to ensure political stability in the country.
He insisted on need of consensus between the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) to forward the nation.
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27- Press Council Chair Basnet feted
Kathmandu, Apr 11: The Literary Journalist Association has felicitated the Chairman of Press Council Nepal, Bal Krishna Basnet.
The Association honoured Basnet with the title of Himdamaru (Snow Cub). The Association said that Basnet was feted noting his contributions to the protection of mountains and ecology, and on impacts of climate change through journalism.
Senior litterateur Rochak Ghimire, senior artiste Madan Das Shrestha and mountaineer Temba Chhiri Sherpa honoured Basnet. On the occasion, Basnet said that mountains and human life could be sustained only if the earth was safeguarded.
The Press Council Nepal Chairman stated that journalism should be centered on protection of mountains and ecology.
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28- Three children hurt critically in Dolpa forest fire
Dolpa, Apr 11: Three children were critically injured in a forest fire that occurred in Sun Community Forest in Tripurasundari Municipality-4 in the district on Thursday.
Two brothers and a sister of a family were hurt in the fire occurred near the village. Those injured kids are fourth-grader Bibas Buda, 13-year-old Samanta Buda and 10-year-old Suraj Buda, according to Chief District Officer of Dolpa Tulsi Prasad Dahal.
The children were injured with fire while collecting Guchchi mushrooms in the forest. Although they were rushed to the District Hospital for treatment, the hospital referred them to Kathmandu for further treatment, according to the District Hospital.
Meanwhile, chief administrative officer Jagdish Chandra Nepali said Tripurasundari municipality was making efforts to manage helicopter to ferry the injured ones. However, adverse weather affected the flight of Nepali Army helicopter from Surkhet to Dolpa.
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