- Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Kathmandu, April 25: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that the late leader Man Mohan Adhikari was a tireless warrior of Nepal’s left-democratic movement.
At a programme organised by the Man Mohan Memorial Foundation on the 25th death anniversary of Man Mohan Adhikari, here today, former President Bhandari shared that Man Mohan was established as a simple and honest leader in contemporary Nepali politics as well as a respected leader of the entire Nepali society.
He was a leading personality of Nepali Communist movement, she mentioned, adding the entire life of Man Mohan is like an open book that must be read compulsorily by the new generation.
“We have got open environment due to high-level awareness, sacrifice and determination of first generation leaders like Man Mohan. We have got freedom. Man Mohan Adhikari is in our memory and will always remain”, added the former President.
Stating that the elderly allowance programme introduced by Man Mohan Adhikari-led government became a model programme of social security in the South Asia, she underscored, “This step contributed to bring positive change in prospective of state, society and family towards senior citizens. It has made significant contribution to boost self-confidence of the senior citizens.”
Former President Bhandari shared that the Constitution of Nepal institutionalized the fundamental rights of senior citizens by strengthening the activities launched by Man Mohan Adhikari in respect of senior citizens, adding senior citizens remember and respect Man Mohan Adhikari as their true friend and a good leader.
Man Mohan had led UML’s nine-month government efficiently, she explained. Adhikari was appointed the Prime Minister of Nepal in 2051BS, representing the CPN (UML), the largest party in the parliament.
Programmes such as “Let’s Build Our Village Ourselves” and “Old-Age Allowance for Senior Citizens”, implemented under his government leadership earned popularity among the citizens.
Adhikari had actively participated in India’s independence movement in 1942 while he was pursuing his education in Varanasi, India. This marked the inception of his political career, and he played a significant role in the workers’ movement in Biratnagar in 2003 BS.
Throughout his long political career, Adhikari spent a cumulative total of around 14 years in jail for his involvement in various movements against the Rana and Panchayat regimes, as well as for advocating for the restoration of democracy at different junctures.
He passed away on April 26, 1999, at the age of 78. In honor of his contributions, the former President released a souvenir titled ‘The Life Story of Man Mohan Adhikari’, commemorating his remarkable life and achievements. Foundation Chair and UML senior Vice-Chair Ishwor Pokhrel said the establishment of the Foundation aimed to promote and institutionalize the ideologies and contributions of the late Adhikari.
Adhikari was revered as an elder of the Communist Party in Nepal, known for his simplicity and lack of controversy, Pokhrel said, advocating for the internalization of simplicity that Adhikari lived with throughout his life within the communist circles.
Party leaders Yubaraj Gyawali, Bishnu Paudel, Pradeep Gyawali, Bishnu Rimal, and Yogesh Bhattarai, paid their respects to the late Adhikari. On the occasion, the former President bade farewell to members embarking on a nationwide tour organized by the Foundation. The Foundation organizes a nationwide tour for old-aged citizens each year.
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Two dead in separate accidents
Bharatpur, April 25: A pilgrim was killed after being hit by a bus at Gadyauli of Rapti municipality-2 in east Chitwan. The deceased has been identified as Nima Kumari Rijal, 60, of Rapti-2.
According to the police, Rijal just returned from Chataradham of Sunsari after observing a religious festival underway there and was knocked down by the bus in course of getting off the vehicle she travelled.
Severely injured, Rijal breathed her last amidst the treatment at Old Medical College, according to District Police Office, Chitwan’s Spokesperson Shreeram Bhandari.
Police have arrested the bus driver, Krishna Sapkota, 41, of Hetauda submetropolis-18 in Makwanpur for further investigation into the accident.
Meanwhile, Pradip Waiba, 35, of Kailash rural municipality-10 in Makawanpur was killed after he was run over by tractor last night. He was traveling in the tractor (Pradesh 03-001 Ta 0419) and accidently fell off the trailer of the vehicle which led to the fatal accident, according to Makwanpur District Police Office. The accident took place at Sadikhoriya of Kailash-10. Police have impounded the vehicle and arrested driver Birman Syangtan, 33, of Baghmara of Bhimphedi rural municipality-1 for further investigation.
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08- Bajhang by-election: Construction of Taklakot Road is common election agenda of candidates
Chainpur (Bajhang), April 25: Construction of the Bajhang-Taklakot Road has become the common election agenda of candidates contesting in the Province Assembly (PA) by-election going to be held in Bajhang PA constituency 1 (1) this Saturday (April 27).
During the election campaigning, the candidates have promised to construct this roadway linking the district to China, if they win the election, describing the roadway as the ‘dream project’ that has been much talked-about since the last three and a half decades.
This project was also the major election agenda of Bhanubhakta Joshi, the common candidate of the Left-Democratic Alliance and the CPN (UML) candidate Ain Mahar in the last election to the Member of House of Representatives.
Construction of the Bajhang-Taklakot Road was also the main election agenda of Nepali Congress candidate, the late Prithvi Bahadur Singh, UML’s Aafilal Okheda, Maoist Centre’s Bhim Bhandari in the last PA Member election.
This road project has also featured as the main election agenda of the incumbent Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Bhanubhakta Joshi and Nepali Congress central member Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh since the general election of 1992. The Chainpur-Taklakot road is the election agenda of both Singh and Joshi who have contested in the election five times.
Although China linked Taklakot by road a decade back, what the people of Bajhang have got is only assurances. “Actual works on the construction of the road not taking place for long and the project only being made an election slogan means keeping the people in confusion,” said Manbir Bohara, the Chairperson of Saipal rural municipality, expressing his dismay.
“It has been 32-33 years since we have been hearing that the Taklakot Road would be built. So far, the road has been constructed only up to Rupatola and it has not progressed even an inch from there. All the political parties and their candidates have only been touting it as their election plank,” he added.
According to him, the Saipal rural municipality is constructing the road from Talkot via Kuwa through its own resources. “The rural municipality does not have adequate budget, but we are making efforts to construct the road first up to the rural municipality and then up to Taklakot as far as is permitted by the local government’s limited budget,” he added.
As he said, not much work has been done regarding construction of the Taklakot Road project requiring investment of millions of rupees. “All the parties and their candidates give assurances to the voters to construct the road in course of electioneering for the House of Representatives and Province Assembly elections, but they forget it after the elections,” Bohara, the rural municipality chairperson said.
Rajesh Karki, a voter of Khaptad Chhanna rural municipality-5, said construction of the Taklakot Road has featured as the common election agenda of the candidates in every election held since 1992.
Although the candidates have changed in the elections in Bajhang, the agenda has not changed. Parties have been making the Taklakot Road project as their main election agenda for political mileage,” he said.
According to him, in every election the parties and candidates have been giving assurances to voters, saying construction of this road project would benefit the people of Bajhang as it would expand the market for various forest-based products and goods produced in the district and thereby expand the economic opportunities.
“However, the construction of the road is moving ahead at snail pace. Every political party is saying that they will manage budget for the construction of this road and giving assurances of increasing the budget for this project, but only to forget it once the election is over,” he added.
Taklakot road has now become the agenda of all candidates for the by-election to the House of Representatives taking place in Bajhang district on April 27.
Nepali Congress candidate Abhishek Bahadur Singh shared his plan of expanding Chainpur-Taklakot road expansion while CPN (UML) candidate Daman Bhandari said he would take initiative to expand Chainpur-Taklakot road up to China border through tunnel route.
Similarly, a candidate of CPN (Unified Socialist), Dil Bahadur Singh, put forth his agenda of constructing and upgrading Taklakot road to pave ways for the economic prosperity of the country while Deepak Bahadur Khadka of Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch has the election agenda of constructing Chainpur-Taklakot road with the support of Chinese government. The election commitment of CPN (Maoist Centre)’s candidate, Janak Bahadur Budha, is to take initiatives to incorporate Chainpur-Taklakot (Urai) road as national pride project.
Likewise, brining Chainpur-Taklakot road into operation during his term is the agenda of Rastriya Prajatantra Party’s candidate Kishor Khadka.
In this way, all candidates in Bajhang district have given priority to Taklakot road at the top priority. The construction activities of the road have moved at snail pace till three decades. China has already constructed road up to Thado Dhunga near Urai Bhanjyang.
Karki, also an engineer, said the Nepali side has yet to construct 63-kilometer road to reach Urai which is 103 kilometer from Chainpur. Two construction companies are carrying out construction of the road. The physical progress of the road was not satisfactory, according to the Seti Highway (North Section) Chainpur-Taklakot road project.
Lumbini and Rajendra Construction Service had got responsibility to widen around 18-kilometer Chainpur-Ruwatola road in 2073 BS, they have not yet completed the work.
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09- 16th Plan stresses on integrated infrastructure development, IT use: PM Dahal
Kathmandu, April 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the 16th periodic plan will focus on integrated infrastructure development and extension and utilisation of information technology.
Addressing an inaugural session of the National Development Council’s meeting here today, the Prime Minister said the 16th plan will accord priorities to the agricultural commercialization, promotion of product-based industries, employment-based education and quality healthcare services.
High priority should be given to promotion of tourism, creation of domestic job opportunities and development of integrated settlement, according to the Prime Minster. To address this need, the Plan is required to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship development through youth-target domestic and foreign investment, according to the government head.
Stating that the government acknowledges the private sector as instrumental for economic prosperity, the Prime Minister said the Plan has endorsed the facilitating roles of government, community, non-government and development partners in efforts aiming to find economic prosperity. He said he is hopeful that the Plan will rightly determine its visions, goals and investment estimations.
Insisting on collaborative efforts among the three-tier government to implement the Plan successfully, the Prime Minister said it is necessary for the governments at all levels to mobilise revenue concisely to manage investment and public expenditures. ” The Plan expects to secure a significant investment from the private sector, according to the Prime Minister who is hopeful of that goals, objectives and strategies of the Plan will contribute to seeking an effective role of the private sector in economic expansion through the promotion of investment, production, productivity and employment,” he said
He pressed the need for a regular and result-oriented monitoring and assessment system during the implementation of the Plan. He also expressed his hope the National Planning Commission will develop an integrated framework for economic reforms and implement it in coordination of all bodies concerned. ” I hope the goal for an average economic growth and other social and environmental goals of the Plan will be achieved by an effective implementation of the Plan through a collaborative approaches among all including three-tier government, private sector, cooperatives and development partners. “
Similarly, Chairperson of the CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal laid emphasis on the need of keeping agriculture in priority in the 16th plan, saying forest and mining based industries should be established and policy-level mistakes should be removed.
“The government should move ahead making the private sector into confidence and it should take a policy of encouraging the private sector”, he added. Sharing that development of hydropower and tourism sector would make significant contribution to the country, Chair Nepal stressed that the government should pay its all attention in these sectors.
Likewise, Vice-Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Dol Prasad Aryal, pointed out the need that all political parties, bureaucracy, and general people should move ahead joining hands to maintain good governance.
“The country has to depend on import due to legal complexities despite having necessary means and resources for its development and prosperity”, he said, adding existing laws should be revised in order to utilize available means and resources. Chairperson of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Upendra Yadav, underlined that the 16th plan should be forwarded making the federalism strong.
“The country cannot be prosperous until provinces are made resourceful. The planned development concept should be forwarded for country’s development”, he stressed. Chairperson of Nagarik Unmukti Party and former Minister Ranjita Shrestha said national economy should be made strong by maintaining good governance and establishing social justice in health, education, employment and other sectors.
Shrestha opined, “The working capacity should be maximum utilized making the inter-relation of all three-level strong to achieve the goal and objectives of the 16th plan. It is necessary that all political parties should be responsible and united with a common goal for country’s prosperity.”
Laying emphasis on the need of moving ahead selecting prioritized projects in country’s economic development, former Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat stressed the need of paying special attention in project selection and budget allocation. Similarly, former Finance Minister Dr Yubraj Khatiwada said a policy of getting more result from low investment should be adopted, adding country’s economy is improving in recent period.
Vice-Chairperson of the National Planning Commission Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha shared that the NPC should be restructured and make it further strong legally, expressing the view that it would be easier to implement the strategy and action plan of the 16th plan only if the NPC becomes strong.
Parliamentary party leaders of the political parties represented in the Federal parliament, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, the Chief Ministers, Chairpersons of Federal Parliamentary Committees and national security advisors were present on the occasion.
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10- National Youth Scientist Conference to be held in Surkhet
Bheriganga (Surkhet), April 25: The National Youth Scientists Conference is to be organized in Birendranagar, Surkhet on May 9 and 10. The conference is being held under the joint auspices of the Karnali Province Government, Ministry of Social Development and the Mid-West University and with support from the National Youth Council.
The Karnali Province Government has said that the Youth Scientist Conference is being held for the first time in Karnali with the objective of encouraging science research and innovation.
Jaharlal Hamal, Chief of Youth and Sports Division at the Ministry of Social Development, said youth scientists from all seven provinces would participate in the conference. “One of the goals of this event is to encourage study and research in science by bringing together the studies and research carried out in this field at one place while the next goal is to facilitate exchange of views and experiences among the youth scientists so as to further motivate them in scientific study and research,” he added.
According to Hamal, applications along with bio-date and the portfolio of the scientific studies, research and surveys they have conducted have been sought from interested youth scientists from 16 to 40 years of age for participation in the conclave. The participants would be selected after reviewing the applications.
Sudeep Thakuri, the Dean of the Mid-Western University, Graduate School of Science and Technology, believes that the Conference will further motivate the youth scientists to dedicate themselves in scientific studies and research works.
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11- Education Ministry asks EC to provide details of work execution committees of political parties
Kathmandu, April 25: The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has urged the Election Commission (EC) to provide it with details of work execution committee of the political parties.
According to the Ministry, a decision was taken to write to the EC demanding the details of office-bearers of all the central, province and district level work execution committees of the political parties. Secretariat of the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Sumana Shrestha, said the details of the political parties affiliated working committees, which are in record of the EC, have been sought in order to forward the action against those teachers affiliated in the political parties.
After receiving the record from the EC, the Ministry would cross check the details of teachers and employees, which the ministry has, and office-bearers of work execution committee of the political parties, it is said.
Minister Shrestha has been warning of forwarding process for legal action against the teachers and staffs if they were found holding position in the work execution committees of the political parties. According to the Secretariat, the Ministry has received complaints about the issue that teachers and staffs working at community schools have taken membership of different political parties, are holding position in work execution committee and are party’s general convention delegates.
Earlier, the Ministry had already sent a circular at District-based all education development and coordination units to take action against those teachers and staffs, who are members of political parties’ work execution committee.
Some of the district units have already forwarded action as per the circular. A ministerial decision had already been taken to remove teachers holding position on political parties’ work execution committee as per the existing laws and court’s order and inform the Ministry about this and taking action continuously on such complaints of same nature.
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12- 70 community and national forests affected by fire in Parbat till Wednesday
Parbat, April 25: Parbat, the district in the Gandaki Province, continues to report the incidents of forest fire since the last week of March. The wildfires so far destroyed 1,400 hectares of forest area.
Division Forest Office’s assistant forest officer, Ram Bahadur BK said so far the fire destroyed forest area spreading to 1416.6 hectares. The first incidents of forest fire were reported from the Deurali community forest at Jaljala rural municipality-1 and Simlatechaur community forest at Jaljala-5. Till Wednesday, 70 community and national forests were affected by bushfires.
It is said, this year, the cases of wildfire is more than of the last year.
The General Code of Nepal has defined the act to cause a forest fire as a criminal offence. Though Forest Act, 2049 BS (1993) and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 BS (1973) have provisioned a jail sentence and fine for causing the forest fire, the legal provisions against it are yet to be implemented in the district, it is said.
The forest area in the district covers 27,640 (51 percent) of its total land 54,210 hectares.
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13 Politics should be able to infuse enthusiasm among investors: President
Kathmandu, April 25: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that politics should be able to infuse enthusiasm among the investors for the country’s prosperity.
Inaugurating the Himalayan Hydro Expo 2024 here today, he expressed that there are ample possibilities of Nepal, a country rich in natural resources, achieving prosperity through the rapid development of energy. He believed that this is possible through facilitation and coordination of the Government of Nepal and the investment from the private sector. The theme of the Expo is “Green Energy for Prosperity”.
“Politics should be able to infuse motivation in the investors. I feel the Government of Nepal should facilitate through Acts, laws, policies and rules while the private sector should increase the investment taking the nation’s interest and prosperity as supreme for this,” said the Head-of-State.
Noting that with the adoption of federalism Nepal has been moving towards political stability along with the highest exercise of democracy and this has created the condition for increasing attraction for domestic and foreign investment, he made it clear that what the country is looking for after the federalism is progress and prosperity.
“The Government of Nepal has been attaching special priority to the energy sector, taking it as the main basis for Nepal’s economic prosperity. As a result of this, the increasing production of power in Nepal, which had suffered from an energy crisis at one time, has been boosting the nation’s energy security. Nepal is transforming from an energy-importer country to an energy exporting nation,” the President added.
Stating that he thinks that the increased power production in the country is playing a positive role in the economic sector of Nepal through electricity trade by ending the dependence on power import, he expressed it is a matter of satisfaction that Nepal can contribute to the increase in the use of renewable energy through the export of clean and green energy to the regional markets of neighboring countries.
“I think that the contribution of the private sector along with that of the Government of Nepal is important in this. The energy production and export is increasing. This is a matter of happiness for us. I also feel that Nepal has achieved this success due to the collaboration, coordination and partnership between the Government of Nepal and the private sector,” President Paudel said.
According to him, this situation has come with the involvement of the private sector in investment in and construction of green energy, especially after the reinstatement of the multi-party democracy.
Referring to the fact that the Government of Nepal has already signed an agreement to export electricity to the neighboring country India and has set a target of producing 15,000 megawatts of electricity by the year 2085 BS, the President said that both the government and the private sector have equal responsibility in this regard.
He mentioned, “Investment-friendly environment is a must to achieve the goals. I want to suggest the government to remain constantly active to create such environment.”President Paudel said building an investment-friendly environment for domestic and foreign investors without any hindrance was the responsibility of the government and expressed the belief that there would be significant contribution on overall economy of the country as such environment would make the private sector further excited.
The President shared that it was laudable to organise the Himalayan Hydro Expo by Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal and Expo and Event Management Services Pvt Ltd on the eve of the investment summit. “It helps to bring all stakeholders involved in the energy development sector at one place and inspire them to move ahead for the same as well as to build an opportunity of collaboration and moving ahead together,” he stressed.
President Paudel called on all domestic and foreign investors to move ahead joining hands in green energy development. Similarly, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, mentioned that there is immense potential of development of hydropower in Nepal and it is the important basis of country’s prosperity.
The government has brought an action plan to produce 28,700 megawatt electricity in the coming 12 years.He insisted the need of bringing about ample foreign investment in the country by ensuring a maximum utilisation of resources available within the country. As the Minister said, the Electricity Bill which is presently under discussion in the parliament will be endorsed soon. New Electricity Act in the offing is expected to be a support in the hydropower development and the enhancement of investment in this sector.
The government will further facilitate for land acquisition process, site clearance and other procedural hurdles, he said.
According to the Minister, the issues concerning environment conservation and the mitigation of climate change have emerged in a challenging way. President of Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN), Ganesh Karki, shared on the occasion that Rs 1300 billion has been already invested in hydropower projects. The area for hydropower development has played a significant role in economic growth and jobs creation, according to him. He said over 500,000 citizens including manual workers are presently employed in this sector.
Commending Nepal’s recent success in power exports, Karki projected a further increase in the country’s power exports and urged the government to enact policy and procedural reforms to attract more foreign investment in hydropower, citing its positive impact on local development.
In a video message, Canadian Ambassador to Nepal, Cameron MacKay, called for promoting the hydropower sector for Nepal’s prosperity. He pledged Canada’s support, offering its skills, knowledge, and experiences for the development of hydropower projects in Nepal.
Mohan Kumar Dangi, IPPAN’s Senior Vice President, advocated for prioritizing domestic power consumption over exports. The Expo is scheduled to conclude on Friday.
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14- World Malaria Day: Foreign returnees more vulnerable
Kathmandu, April 26: Today marks the World Malaria Day. The Day was observed with the theme of “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”.
During an interaction with the media organised by the Public Health Office, Kathmandu today, Office Chief Dr Arjun Prasad Sapkota said despite the reduced risk for malaria, the prevention is still needed. As he said, the cases of malaria have declined in the country, but those foreign returnees are found to be vulnerable to the infection which is caused by the mosquito bite.
In the fiscal year 2080-81 BS (2023-24), Kathmandu District reported 17 new cases of malaria. According to Dr Sapkota these infections are often brought in by foreign returnees, particularly those arriving from nations in South Africa.
The government has implemented the Nepal Malaria Strategic Plan 2014-2025 with the goal of declaring Nepal as free from malaria by 2025. Accordingly, the government has set the objective of decreasing the number of malaria patients and the local transmission rate of this disease to zero at the local level within 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Although the government conducted the Malaria Eradication Campaign since 1994, Nepal has not become free of this disease so far.Public Health Officer at the Public Health Office, Prabina Karmacharya said none of the Wards of Kathmandu except Chandragiri Municipality’s Ward No 4 was at risk of malaria. “Chandragiri municipality -4 is listed as risk area as a few malaria patients have been detected in this ward. We have put 5 percent of the total population of this Ward as prone to risk,” she added.
According to her, 13 malaria cases were found in Kathmandu in the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 and 17 cases each in FY 2022/2023 and FY 2023/24.Similarly, 13 cases were found in Koshi province, 75 in Madhes province, 42 in Bagmati province, 20 in Gandaki province, 233 in Lumbini province, 28 in Karnali province and 176 in Sudur Paschim province in FY 2023/24.
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